1My brothers, not many of you should become teachers, knowing that we ⁴⁵shall receive a stricter judgment.

2Because we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, being able to bridle the whole body as well.

3Consider, we put bits in horses' mouths for them to obey us, and we guide their whole body.

4Consider also the ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the pilot may desire.

5So also the tongue is a small member and boasts great things. Just look at how great a forest a little fire can kindle!

6And the tongue is a fire! The organization of wickedness, ⁴⁶that is how the tongue is placed among our members, defiling the whole body and setting on fire the course of life, itself being set on fire by hell. ⁴⁷

7Every kind of animal and bird, reptile and sea creature, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race,

8but no one among men is able to tame the tongue—an uncontrollable ⁴⁸evil, full of deadly poison. ⁴⁹

9With it we bless God ⁵⁰and Father, ⁵¹and with it we curse the people who have been made in God's likeness.

10Out of the same mouth proceed blessings and curses. My brothers, these things should not be that way.

11A spring does not send out sweet and bitter water from the same opening, does it?

12Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grape vine figs? Thus no spring yields salt water and sweet. ⁵²

True contrasted with demonic

13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him exhibit his works in the meekness of wisdom, by his good way of life.

14But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth—

15such ‘wisdom’ is not coming down from Above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. ⁵³

16Because where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is unruliness and every foul practice. ⁵⁴

17In contrast, the wisdom from Above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

18Now the fruit of righteousness is planted in peace by those making peace. ⁵⁵