¶ My brethren, be¹ not many masters, knowing² that we shall receive the greater condemnation³.

For in⁴ many things we offend all. If⁵ any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect⁶ man, and able also to bridle⁷ the whole body.

⁸Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven⁹ of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

Even so¹⁰ the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter¹¹ a little fire kindleth!

And the tongue¹² is a fire, a world¹³ of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is¹⁴ set on fire of hell.

For every kind¹⁵ of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly¹⁷ evil, full¹⁸ of deadly poison.

Therewith¹⁹ bless²⁰ we God, even the Father; and therewith curse²¹ we men, which are made²² after the similitude of God.

¶ Out of²³ the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these²⁴ things ought not so to be.

Doth a fountain send forth at the same place²⁵ sweet water and bitter?

Can the fig tree²⁶, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so²⁷ can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

¶ Who is a²⁸ wise man and endued²⁹ with knowledge among you? let³⁰ him shew out of a good³¹ conversation his works with meekness³² of wisdom.

But if³³ ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory³⁴ not, and lie³⁵ not against the truth.

This wisdom³⁶ descendeth not from above, but³⁷ is earthly, sensual³⁸, devilish³⁹.

For where⁴⁰ envying and strife is, there⁴¹ is confusion⁴² and every evil work.

But the wisdom⁴³ that is from above is first⁴⁴ pure, then peaceable⁴⁵, gentle⁴⁶, and easy to be intreated, full⁴⁷ of mercy and good fruits, without⁴⁸ partiality⁴⁹, and without hypocrisy.

And the fruit⁵⁰ of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make⁵¹ peace.