1 Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole :body also. 3 Now if we put the bridles of horses into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole :body also. 4 Lo, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth. 5 Thus the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Lo, †how much wood is kindled by how small a fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire: the world of :iniquity among our :members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the †path of †:nature, and is set on fire by :geenna. 7 For every †kind of beasts and birds, of things creeping, and in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by †human nature: 8 but the tongue can no man tame: a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we :men, who are made after God’s likeness: 10 out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be thus. 11 Doth the fountain send forth from the same :opening the sweet and the bitter? 12 can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? neither can salt water yield sweet. 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good :conduct his :works in meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your :heart, glory not and lie not against the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that cometh down from above, but is earthly, †sensual, demonish. 16 For where jealousy is and faction, there is confusion and every vile deed. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace.
