| 1 | My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. |
| 2 | For in many things we all offend. If any man offendeth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. |
| 3 | Behold, we put bits in the mouths of horses, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. |
| 4 | Behold also the ships, which though they are so great, and are driven by fierce winds, yet they are turned about with a very small helm, withersoever the governor willeth. |
| 5 | Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! |
| 6 | And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire from hell. |
| 7 | For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of animals 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 | With this we bless God, even the Father; and with this we curse men, who are made after the similitude 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 forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? |
| 12 | Can the fig-tree, my brethren, bear olive-berries? or a vine, figs? so no fountain can yield both salt water and fresh. |
| 13 | Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show by a good deportment his works with meekness of wisdom. |
| 14 | But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. |
| 15 | This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, demoniacal. |
| 16 | For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. |
| 17 | But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. |
| 18 | And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by them that make peace. |
