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[1] My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
[2] For in many things we sin all. If any man sin not in word, he is a perfect man, and able to bridle all the body.
[3] Behold, we put bits into the horses' mouths that they should obey us, and we turn about all their body.
[4] Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small rudder, whithersoever the governor listeth.
[5] Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth of great things: behold, how great a thing a little fire kindleth.
[6] And the tongue is fire, yea, a world of wickedness: so is the tongue set among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell.
[7] For the whole nature of beasts, and of birds and of creeping things, and things of the sea is tamed and hath been tamed of the nature of man.
[8] But the tongue can no man tame. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
[9] Therewith bless we God even the Father, and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
[10] Out of one mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing: my brethren, these things ought not so to be.
[11] Doth a fountain send forth at one place sweet water and bitter?
[12] Can the fig tree, my brethren, bring forth olives, other a vine figs? So can no fountain make both salt water and sweet.
[13] Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show by good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom.
[14] But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, rejoice not, neither be liars against the truth.
[15] This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, and devilish.
[16] For where envying and strife is, there is sedition, and all manner of evil works.
[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 judging, and without hypocrisy.
[18] And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace, of them that make peace.
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