1 WYC Mi britheren, nyle ye be maad many maistris, witynge that ye taken the more doom. BSB BSB: Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2 WYC For alle we offenden in many thingis. If ony man offendith not in word, this is a perfit man; for also he may lede aboute al the bodi with a bridil. BSB BSB: We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.
3 WYC For if we putten bridlis `in to horsis mouthis, for to consente to vs, and we leden aboute al the bodi of hem. BSB BSB: When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.
4 WYC And lo! schippis, whanne thei ben grete, and ben dryuun of stronge wyndis, yit thei ben borun about of a litil gouernaile, where the meuyng of the gouernour wole. BSB BSB: Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined.
5 WYC So also the tunge is but a litil membre, and reisith grete thingis. Lo! hou litil fier brenneth a ful greet wode. BSB BSB: In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.
6 WYC And oure tunge is fier, the vniuersite of wickidnesse. The tunge is ordeyned in oure membris, which defoulith al the bodi; and it is enflawmed of helle, and enflawmeth the wheel of oure birthe. BSB BSB: The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 WYC And al the kynde of beestis, and of foulis, and of serpentis, and of othere is chastisid, and tho ben maad tame of mannus kinde; but no man mai chastise the tunge, BSB BSB: All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,
8 WYC for it is an vnpesible yuel, and ful of deedli venym. BSB BSB: but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 WYC In it we blessen God, the fadir, and in it we cursen men, that ben maad to the licnesse of God. BSB BSB: With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.
10 WYC Of the same mouth passith forth blessing and cursing. My britheren, it bihoueth not that these thingis be don so. BSB BSB: Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!
11 WYC Whether a welle of the same hoole bringith forth swete and salt watir? BSB BSB: Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
12 WYC My britheren, whether a fige tre may make grapis, ethir a vyne figus? So nethir salt watir mai make swete watir. BSB BSB: My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
13 WYC Who is wijs, and tauyt among you? schewe he of good lyuyng his worching, in myldenesse of his wisdom. BSB BSB: Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
14 WYC That if ye han bitter enuye, and stryuyngis ben in youre hertis, nyle ye haue glorye, and be lyeris ayens the treuthe. BSB BSB: But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.
15 WYC For this wisdom is not fro aboue comynge doun, but ertheli, and beestli, and feendli. BSB BSB: Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 WYC For where is enuye and strijf, there is vnstidfastnesse and al schrewid werk. BSB BSB: For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
17 WYC But wisdom that is from aboue, first it is chast, aftirward pesible, mylde, able to be counseilid, consentinge to goode thingis, ful of merci and of goode fruytis, demynge with out feynyng. BSB BSB: But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
18 WYC And the fruyt of riytwisnesse is sowun in pees, to men that maken pees. BSB BSB: Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.