1 My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive greater condemnation.
2 For in many things we offend all. If any one offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Behold we put bits into the horses mouths, that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body.
4 Behold also the ships, tho' they are so great, and driven by fierce winds, yet are turned about by a very small helm, whithersoever the pilot listeth.
5 So the tongue also is a little member, yet boasteth great things. Behold how much matter a little fire kindleth.
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: it is the tongue among the members which defileth the whole body and setteth on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire of hell.
7 For every kind both of wild beasts and of birds, both of reptiles and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind.
8 But the tongue can no man tame: it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith bless we God the Father, and therewith curse we man, made after the likeness of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Doth a fountain send out of the same place sweet water and bitter?
12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries, or a vine figs? So can no fountain yield salt water and fresh.
13 Who is a wise and knowing man among you? Let him shew by a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter zeal and strife in your hearts, do not glory and lie against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, animal, devilish.
16 For where bitter zeal and strife is, there is unquietness and every evil work.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits,
18 without partiality and without dissimulation, And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace.