3:1  Let not many {of you} become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.

3:2  For we all stumble in many {ways.} If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.

3:3  Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.

3:4  Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.

3:5  So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and {yet} it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!

3:6  And the tongue is a fire, the {very} world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of {our} life, and is set on fire by hell.

3:7  For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.

3:8  But no one can tame the tongue; {it is} a restless evil {and} full of deadly poison.

3:9  With it we bless {our} Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;

3:10  from the same mouth come {both} blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.

3:11  Does a fountain send out from the same opening {both} fresh and bitter {water?}

3:12  Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor {can} salt water produce fresh.

3:13  Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.

3:14  But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and {so} lie against the truth.

3:15  This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.

3:16  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

3:17  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

3:18  And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.