Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive greater judgment.
For in many things we all offend. If anyone offendeth not in word, he [is] a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.
Now if we put the horses’ bridles in their mouths, that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.
Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are turned about by a very small rudder, where the impulse of the helmsman may purpose.
So also the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. See how large a wood how little a fire kindleth!
And the tongue [is] fire, the world of iniquity; the tongue cometh to be in our members that which defileth the whole body, and setteth in a blaze the course of nature, and is set in a blaze by gehenna.
For every nature of both wild beasts and birds, of both things that creep and things in the sea, is tamed and hath been tamed by the nature of man;
but the tongue is none of men able to tame; an unsettled evil, full of deadly poison.
Therewith we bless the Lord and [the] Father, and therewith we curse men that are made according to God’s likeness.
Out of the same mouth cometh blessing and cursing. Not so, my brethren, ought these things to be.
Doth the fountain out of the same opening pour forth the sweet and the bitter?
Can, my brethren, a fig tree produce olives, or a vine, figs? Neither [can] salt water produce sweet.
Who [is] wise and understanding among you? Let him show out of his good conduct his works in meekness of wisdom.
But if ye have bitter emulation and faction in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth.
This wisdom is not descending from above, but earthly, natural, demoniacal.
For where envying and faction [are], there disorder [is] and every bad deed.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, uncontentious, impartial.
And righteousness’ fruit in peace is being sown for those that make peace.