1 ¶ My brethren, make not unto yourselves many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.

2 F or we all offend in many things. If any man offends not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to govern the whole body with restraint.

For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn’t stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.

3 B ehold, we put bits (or restraint) in the horses’ mouths to persuade them, and we govern their whole body.

Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.

4 B ehold also the ships, which though they are so great are driven of fierce winds, yet they are governed with a very small rudder, wherever the governor desires.

Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.

5 I n the same manner, the tongue is a very small member and boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest a little fire kindles!

So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!

6 A nd the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.

7 F or every nature of beasts and of birds and of serpents and of beings in the sea may be tamed and is tamed by mankind,

For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind.

8 b ut no man can tame the tongue, which is an evil that cannot be restrained and is full of deadly poison.

But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 W ith it we bless God, even the Father; and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God.

With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God.

10 O ut of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

11 D oes a fountain send forth at the same place both sweet and bitter water?

Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?

12 C an the fig tree, my brethren, produce olive berries? or the vine, figs? In the same manner no fountain can yield both salt water and fresh.

Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.

13 ¶ Who is wise and ready among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.

14 B ut if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, boast not and do not be liars against the truth.

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.

15 T his wisdom is not that which descends from above, but is earthly, natural, diabolical.

This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.

16 F or where there is envy and contention, there is confusion and every perverse work.

For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

17 B ut the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, modest, benevolent, full of mercy and of good fruits, not judgmental, unfeigned.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18 A nd the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace unto those that make peace.

Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.