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

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

2 F or 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.

For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

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

Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.

4 B ehold, 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.

Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.

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

Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!

6 A nd 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.

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

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

For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.

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

But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 W ith it we bless our God and 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 have been made in the similitude of God.

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

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

11 D oes a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?

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

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

Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. Heavenly Versus Demonic Wisdom

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

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

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

But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

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

This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.

16 F or where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

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

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

18 N ow the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

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