[1] Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.
[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 horses’ bridles into their mouths, that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.
[4] Behold, the ships also, though they are so great, and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth.
[5] So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, 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 wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell.
[7] For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind:
[8] but the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison.
[9] Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the likeness of God:
[10] out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
[11] Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet water and 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 shew by his good life 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 wisdom is not a wisdom that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
[16] For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed.
[17] But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be 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.