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

Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter 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 stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.

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

Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.

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.

Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.

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

So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!

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, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by 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 of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.

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

But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and 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 our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;

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

from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.

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

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

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, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh. Wisdom from Above

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 among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness 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 you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.

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

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

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

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is 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 is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

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

And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.