1 M y brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

Not many should become teachers ( self-constituted censors and reprovers of others), my brethren, for you know that we will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity.

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

For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech, he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature.

3 B ehold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

If we set bits in the horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we can turn their whole bodies about.

4 B ehold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

Likewise, look at the ships: though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines.

5 E ven so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

Even so the tongue is a little member, and it can boast of great things. See how much wood or how great a forest a tiny spark can set ablaze!

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

And the tongue is a fire. world of wickedness set among our members, contaminating and depraving the whole body and setting on fire the wheel of birth (the cycle of man’s nature), being itself ignited by hell (Gehenna).

7 F or every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea animal, can be tamed and has been tamed by human genius (nature).

8 B ut the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

But the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is a restless (undisciplined, irreconcilable) evil, full of deadly poison.

9 T herewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God’s likeness!

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

Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so.

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

Does a fountain send forth from the same opening fresh water and bitter?

12 C an the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine figs? Neither can a salt spring furnish fresh water.

13 W ho is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

Who is there among you who is wise and intelligent? Then let him by his noble living show forth his works with the humility of true wisdom.

14 B ut if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth.

15 T his wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

This wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal).

16 F or where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.

17 B ut the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity).

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

And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God’s will in thought and deed) is sown in peace by those who work for and make peace.