[1] Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.
[2] 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] Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.
[4] 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] 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] 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] 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] But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
[9] With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;
[10] from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
[11] Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?
[12] Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.
[13] Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
[14] But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.
[15] This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.
[16] For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
[17] But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
[18] And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.