3 My brethren, let not many be masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2 For in many things we all offend. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man and able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great and are driven by fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the helmsman pleases.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a wood 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 beast and bird and serpent and thing 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 Therewith we bless God, even the Father, and therewith we curse men, who are made in 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 from 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 his works out of good conduct and with the meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envy and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 Such wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envy and strife are, there is confusion and every evil work.
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 partiality and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of those who make peace.
