制伏舌头
我的弟兄们，不要许多人做教师，因为你们知道，我们做教师的要接受更严厉的审判。
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2原来我们在许多事上都有过失；若有人在言语上没有过失，他就是完全的人，也能勒住自己的全身。For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3我们若把嚼环放在马嘴里使它们驯服，就能控制它们的全身。Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4再看船只，虽然甚大，又被强风猛吹，只用小小的舵就随着掌舵的意思转动。Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5同样，舌头是小肢体，却能说大话。看哪，最小的火能点燃最大的树林。
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6舌头就是火。在我们百体中，舌头是个不义的世界，能玷污全身，也能烧毁生命的轮子，而且是被地狱的火点燃的。And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7各类的走兽、飞禽、爬虫、水族，本来都可以制伏，也已经被人制伏了；For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8惟独舌头没有人能制伏，是永不静止的邪恶，充满了害死人的毒气。But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9我们用舌头颂赞我们的主—我们的天父，又用舌头诅咒照着神形像被造的人。Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10颂赞和诅咒从同一个口出来。我的弟兄们，这是不应该的。Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11泉源能从一个出口发出甜苦两样的水吗？Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12我的弟兄们，无花果树能生橄榄吗？葡萄树能结无花果吗？咸水也不能流出甜水来。Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
从上头来的智慧
13你们中间谁是有智慧有见识的呢？他就当在智慧的温柔上显出他的善行来。Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14你们心里若怀着恶毒的嫉妒和自私，就不可自夸，不可说谎话抵挡真理。But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15这样的智慧不是从上头下来的，而是属地上的，属情欲的，属鬼魔的。This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16在何处有嫉妒、自私，在何处就有动乱和各样的坏事。For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17惟独从上头来的智慧，先是清洁，后是和平、温良、柔顺，满有怜悯和美善的果子，没有偏私，没有虚伪。But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18正义的果实是为促进和平的人用和平栽种出来的。And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.