1My brethren, let not many of you be teachers, knowing that as such we shall be judged more strictly. 2For we all stumble in many ways. If any man does not stumble in his words, he is a perfect man, and able also to bridle his whole body. 3If we put bits in the mouths of horses, that they may obey us; we guide their whole bodies. 4Behold also the ships, which, though they are so great and are driven by such fierce winds, yet they are guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot directs. 5Even so, the tongue is a small part of the body, and it boasts of great things. Behold how great a forest is kindled by a little fire! 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity among our members. It defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the whole course of life; and is itself set on fire by hell. 7For all kinds of beasts, and birds, and serpents, and creatures of the sea, are tamed, and have been tamed, by mankind: 8But the tongue no man can tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9With it we bless our Lord and Father; and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God. 10Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11Does a fountain send forth from the same opening fresh and bitter water? 12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olives? or a vine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring yield fresh water. 13Who is wise and understanding among you? by his good life let him show forth works done with the humility of wisdom. 14But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. 16For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is confusion and every evil work. 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.