| 1 | Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. |
| 2 | For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. |
| 3 | If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. |
| 4 | Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. |
| 5 | So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! |
| 6 | And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. |
| 7 | For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, |
| 8 | but no one can tame the tongue — a restless evil, full of deadly poison. |
| 9 | With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. |
| 10 | From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. |
| 11 | Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? |
| 12 | Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh. |
| 13 | Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. |
| 14 | But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. |
| 15 | Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. |
| 16 | For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. |
| 17 | But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. |
| 18 | And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. |
