¹Let not many of you be teachers , my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgement.

²For we all stumble in many things . Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person , able to bridle the whole body also .

³Indeed , we put bits into the horses ’ mouths so that they may obey us , and we guide their whole body .

⁴Behold , 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 .[#3:4 “Behold”, from “ἰδοὺ”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.]

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

⁶And the tongue is a fire . The world of iniquity amongst 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.[#3:6 or, Hell]

⁷For every kind of animal, bird , creeping thing , and sea creature is tamed , and has been tamed by mankind;

⁸but nobody can tame the tongue . It is a restless evil , full of deadly poison .

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

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

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

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

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

¹⁴But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart , don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.

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

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

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

¹⁸Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace .