¹Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive greater judgment. ²For we all often offend. If any one offend not in word, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body too. ³Behold, we put the bits in the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us, and we turn round their whole bodies. ⁴Behold also the ships, which are so great, and driven by violent winds, are turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the pleasure of the helmsman will. ⁵Thus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wood it kindles! ⁶and the tongue is fire, the world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set in our members, the defiler of the whole body, and which sets fire to the course of nature, and is set on fire of hell. ⁷For every species both of beasts and of birds, both of creeping things and of sea animals, is tamed and has been tamed by the human species; ⁸but the tongue can no one among men tame; it is an unsettled evil, full of death-bringing poison. ⁹Therewith bless we the Lord and Father, and therewith curse we men made after the likeness of God. ¹⁰Out of the same mouth goes forth blessing and cursing. It is not right, my brethren, that these things should be thus. ¹¹Does the fountain, out of the same opening, pour forth sweet and bitter? ¹²Can, my brethren, a fig produce olives, or a vine figs? Neither can salt water make sweet water.

¹³Who is wise and understanding among you; let him shew out of a good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom; ¹⁴but if ye have bitter emulation and strife in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. ¹⁵This is not the wisdom which comes down from above, but earthly, natural, devilish. ¹⁶For where emulation and strife are, there is disorder and every evil thing. ¹⁷But the wisdom from above first is pure, then peaceful, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, unquestioning, unfeigned. ¹⁸But the fruit of righteousness in peace is sown for them that make peace.

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