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.