¹

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

²

For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

³

Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.

⁴

Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.

⁵

Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!

⁶

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

⁷

For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.

⁸

But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹

With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.

¹⁰

Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.