¹My brothers, do not become teachers in large numbers, knowing that as teachers we will receive a more severe judgment. ²For we all stumble in many respects. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, capable of bridling his whole body too. ³Look, we place bits in horses' mouths, so that they obey us, and we steer the whole of their body. ⁴And look at how ships too, which are so large, and are driven by strong winds, are steered by a very small rudder, wherever the helmsman's spur of the moment wishes. ⁵So also the tongue is a small member, but it boasts greatly. See how great a forest a little fire sets alight! ⁶And the tongue is a fire, a world of injustice. In this way the tongue is appointed among our members as the one that defiles the whole body and sets the cycle of nature alight, and is itself set alight by Gehenna. ⁷For every kind of wild animal and bird, and reptile and marine creature can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, ⁸but no-one among men can tame the tongue. It is uncheckable wickedness, full of deadly venom. ⁹With it we bless the God and father, yet with it we curse men who have been made in the likeness of God. ¹⁰From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not be this way. ¹¹Does a source from the same opening ever gush with fresh and bitter water? ¹²My brothers, can a fig tree possibly produce olives, or a vine figs? In this way no source can produce salt and fresh water. ¹³Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show his works by his good behaviour with the meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴And if you have bitter jealousy and strife in your heart, do not affront or belie the truth. ¹⁵That kind of wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. ¹⁶For where there is jealousy and strife, there there is disorder and every kind of base deed. ¹⁷But wisdom from above is, in the first instance, pure, then peaceful, equitable, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and unpretentious. ¹⁸And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.