1 Do not become many teachers, my brothers, because you know well that we teachers shall be judged by a severer standard than others.
2 For in many respects we often stumble. If any man never stumbles in speech, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.
3 When we put bits in the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we control their whole body also.
4 Look at the ships too, though they are so large, even when driven by fierce winds they are turned by a very small rudder, wherever the impulse of the helmsman wills.
5 So also the tongue is a small member and makes great boasts. Behold, how great a forest is set on fire by a little spark!
6 And the tongue is a fire; it is a very world of iniquity among our members, defiling the whole body, and setting on fire the wheel of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 For while every kind of beast and bird, and of reptiles and sea-creatures are tamable, and actually have been tamed by mankind,
8 no man can tame the tongue, restless evil that it is, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we continually bless our Lord and Father, and with it we are accustomed to curse men made in the image of God.
10 From out of the same mouth pour forth blessings and cursings! My brothers, this ought not to be so.
11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening sweet water and bitter?
12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives; or a grape-vine, figs? No more can salt water yield fresh water.
13 Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him show his deeds by his good life, in the meekness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, do not be boasting of that, and be false to the truth.
15 Such wisdom is not that which is descending from on high, but is earthly, sensual, demonlike.
16 For wherever jealousy and faction exist, there is confusion and every evil deed.
17 But the wisdom which comes from on high is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, conciliatory, overflowing with mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without insincerity.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is being sown in peace by those who are working peace.