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

Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive greater judgment.

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 offend. If any one offend not in word, he a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body too.

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

Behold, we put the bits in the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us, and we turn round their whole bodies.

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.

Behold also the ships, which are so great, and driven by violent winds, are turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the pleasure of the helmsman will.

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

Thus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wood it kindles!

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 fire, the world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set in our members, the defiler of the whole body, and which sets fire to the course of nature, and is set on fire of hell.

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 species both of beasts and of birds, both of creeping things and of sea animals, is tamed and has been tamed by the human species;

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

but the tongue can no one among men tame; an unsettled evil, full of death-bringing poison.

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

Therewith bless we the Lord and Father, and therewith curse we men made after likeness of God.

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 goes forth blessing and cursing. It is not right, my brethren, that these things should be thus.

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

Does the fountain, out of the same opening, pour forth sweet 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, my brethren, a fig produce olives, or a vine figs? Neither salt make sweet 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 wise and understanding among you; let him shew out of a good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom;

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

but if ye have bitter emulation and strife in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

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

This is not the wisdom which comes down from above, but earthly, natural, devilish.

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

For where emulation and strife, there disorder and every evil thing.

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 first is pure, then peaceful, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, unquestioning, unfeigned.

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

But fruit of righteousness in peace is sown for them that make peace.