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[1] MY brethren, do not allow doubtful teachers among you; but know, that we are under a great judgment.
[2] For in many things we all stumble. Anyone who does not offend in word, this one is a perfect man, and able also to subdue his whole body.
[3] Behold, we put bits into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
[4] Behold also the ships, great as they are, when driven by severe winds, they are turned about with a very small rudder, wherever the pilot wishes.
[5] Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Likewise, a small fire sets ablaze the large forests.
[6] The tongue is a fire, and the sinful world like a forest: that very tongue, while it is among our members, can defile our whole body, and set on fire the records of our race which have rolled down from the beginning: and in the end it is consumed by fire.
[7] For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of creatures of the sea and of the land are under the subjugation of the will of man.
[8] But the tongue no man can tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
[9] By it we bless the LORD and the Father; and by it we curse men, who are made in the image of God:
[10] Out of the same mouth proceed curses and blessings. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
[11] Can there spring forth from the same fountain, both sweet water and bitter water?
[12] Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olives? Or the vine, figs? likewise also salt water cannot be made sweet.
[13] Who is wise among you and has training? let him prove his words by his good deeds, in the humbleness of wisdom.
[14] But if you have bitter envying among you, or strife in your hearts, do not boast and do not lie against the truth.
[15] This wisdom does not come from above, but it is earthly, sensual, devilish.
[16] For wherever envy and strife are, there is confusion and every sort of evil.
[17] But the wisdom that is from above is first pure then full of peace, and gentle, obedient, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
[18] And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by the peacemakers.
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