^{1 Ref} Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.

^{2 Ref} For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn't stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.

^{3 Ref} Indeed, we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.

^{4 Ref} Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.

^{5 Ref} So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!

^{6 Ref} And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.{Gehenna is a name that describes a burning Hell with rotting bodies and unclean things in it}

⁷ For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind.

^{8 Ref} But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

^{9 Ref} With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God.

^{10 Ref} Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

¹¹ Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?

^{12 Ref} Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.

^{13 Ref} Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.

^{14 Ref} But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth.

^{15 Ref} This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.

^{16 Ref} For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

^{17 Ref} But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

^{18 Ref} Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

^{1 Ref} Be not many `of you' teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.

^{2 Ref} For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.

^{3 Ref} Now if we put the horses' bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.

^{4 Ref} Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth.

^{5 Ref} So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!

^{6 Ref} And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell.

⁷ For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind.

^{8 Ref} But the tongue can no man tame; `it is' a restless evil, `it is' full of deadly poison.

^{9 Ref} Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God:

^{10 Ref} out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

¹¹ Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet `water' and bitter?

^{12 Ref} Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? Neither `can' salt water yield sweet.

^{13 Ref} Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom.

^{14 Ref} But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.

^{15 Ref} This wisdom is not `a wisdom' that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

^{16 Ref} For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed.

^{17 Ref} But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.

^{18 Ref} And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace.