¹ My brethren, do° not let many of you° become teachers, knowing that we will be receiving a greater judgment.

² For$ we all trip in many things. If anyone does not trip in speech, this one is a mature man, is also able to bridle the whole body.

³ Behold we put the bridles into the mouths of the horses $that$ they should be obedient to us, and we direct their whole body.

⁴ Behold also the ships, though being so-great and are driven by harsh winds, yet are directed by a little rudder, wherever the impulse of the steersman is planning.

⁵ So the tongue is also a little member and boasts of magnificent things. Behold, how-vast a forest it lights up with such a small fire!

⁶ And the tongue is a fire, the world of unrighteousness. Thus the tongue is designated among our members as what stains the whole body and is igniting the birth cycle {i.e., the cycle of life} and is being ignited by hell.

⁷ For$ every nature of beasts and birds, of reptiles and sea-creatures, is tamed and has been tamed by human nature.

⁸ But no one from mankind is able to tame the tongue; it is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹ We are giving-thanks to the God and Father with$ it and we are cursing the men with$ it (the ones who have become according-to the likeness of God).

¹⁰ A thanks and a curse comes forth out-of the same mouth. My brethren, these things do not need to become so!

¹¹ The spring is not gushing the sweet and bitter water from the same hole, is it?

¹² My brethren, a fig tree is not able to produce olives or a vine produce figs, are they? Thus no spring is able to produce both salty and sweet water.

¹³ Who is wise and knowledgeable among you°? Let him show out-of the good conduct, that he has, his works in meekness of wisdom.

¹⁴ But if you° have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your° heart, do° not boast and lie° against the truth.

¹⁵ This wisdom is not coming down from above, but is earthly, physical, demonic.

¹⁶ For$ where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is unrest and every evil matter.

¹⁷ But the wisdom which is from above is indeed first pure, thereafter is peaceful, gentle, easily-obeyed, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and non-pretended.

¹⁸ And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by the ones making$ peace.