1My brothers, do not be many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2For [in] many [things] we all offend. If anyone does not offend in word, the same [is] a full-grown man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, so that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body. 4Behold also the ships being so great, and driven by fierce winds, yet they are turned about with a very small rudder, where the impulse of him steering desires. 5Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. Behold how little a fire kindles how large a forest! 6And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity. So the tongue is set among our members, spotting all the body and inflaming the course of nature, and being inflamed by hell. 7For every kind of animals, and of birds, and of reptiles, and of sea-animals, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind. 8But no one can tame the tongue, [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9By this we bless God, even [the] Father. And by this we curse men, who have come into being according to the image of God. 10Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11Does a fountain send forth at the same hole the sweet and the bitter? 12Can the fig tree, my brothers, bear olive berries; or a vine, figs? So no fountain [can] yield both salt water and fresh. 13Who [is] wise and knowing among you? Let him show his works by [his] good conduct with meekness of wisdom. 14But if you have bitter jealousy and strife in your hearts, do not glory and lie against the truth. 15This is not the wisdom coming down from above, but [is] earthly, sensual, devilish. 16For where envying and strife [are], there [is] confusion and every foul deed. 17But the wisdom that is from above is first truly pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18And [the] fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.