1. |
Be not many `of you' teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment. |
2. |
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. |
Now if we put the horses' bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also. |
4. |
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. |
So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire! |
6. |
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. |
But the tongue can no man tame; `it is' a restless evil, `it is' full of deadly poison. |
9. |
Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God: |
10. |
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. |
Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? Neither `can' salt water yield sweet. |
13. |
Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom. |
14. |
But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth. |
15. |
This wisdom is not `a wisdom' that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. |
16. |
For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed. |
17. |
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. |
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace. |