Against proud Masters and authors of Sects. 5 Of the manifold sins of the unbridled tongue. 13 The difference betwixt proud, contentious, and worldly wisdom, and that wisdom which is heavenly, peaceable, modest, and so forth.Against proud Maisters and authors of Sectes. 5 Of the manifold sinnes of the vnbrideled tongue. 13 The difference betwixt proud, contentious, and worldly wisedom, and that wisedom which is heauenly, peaceable, modest, and so forth.✦
Be ye not many masters my brethren, knowing that you receive the greater judgment.BE yee not many maisters my brethren, knowing that you receiue the greater iudgement.¶✦Nolite plures magistri fieri fratres mei, scientes quoniam majus judicium sumitis.
2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word: this is a perfect man. he is able also with bridle to turn about the whole body.For in many things we offend al.* If any man offend not in word: this is a perfect man. he is able also with bridle to turne about the whole body.✦In multis enim offendimus omnes. Si quis in verbo non offendit, hic perfectus est vir : potest etiam freno circumducere totum corpus.
3And if we put bits into the mouths of horses that they may obey us, we turn about all their body also.And if we put bittes into the mouthes of horses that they may obey vs, we turne about al their body also.✦Si autem equis frena in ora mittimus ad consentiendum nobis, et omne corpus illorum circumferimus.
4And behold, the ships, whereas they be great, and are driven of strong winds: yet are they turned about with a little gubernaculo: the steering-helm, the rudder, not the ship's rear whither the violence of the dirigentis: the steersman, the pilot, not a manager will.And behold, the shippes, whereas they be great, and are driuen of strong windes: yet are they turned about with a litle sterne whither the violence of the directour wil.✦Ecce et naves, cum magnæ sint, et a ventis validis minentur, circumferuntur a modico gubernaculo ubi impetus dirigentis voluerit.
5So the tongue also is quidem: certainly, indeed a little member, and vaunteth great things. Behold how much fire what a great wood it kindleth!So the tongue also is certes a litle member, & cvaunteth great things. Behold how much fire what a great wood it kindleth!✦Ita et lingua modicum quidem membrum est, et magna exaltat. Ecce quantus ignis quam magnam silvam incendit !
6And the tongue, is fire, a whole world of iniquity. The tongue is set among our members, which defileth the whole body, and inflameth the wheel of our nativitatis: birth, here the whole course of our mortal life: "the wheel of our nativity", inflamed of hell.And the tongue, is fire, a whole world of iniquitie. The tongue is set among our members, which defileth the whole bodie, & inflameth the wheele of our natiuitie, inflamed of hel.✦Et lingua ignis est, universitas iniquitatis. Lingua constituitur in membris nostris, quæ maculat totum corpus, et inflammat rotam nativitatis nostræ inflammata a gehenna.
7For all nature of beasts and fowls and serpents and of the rest is tamed and hath been tamed by the nature of man.For al nature of beastes & foules and serpents & of the rest is tamed & hath been tamed by the nature of man.✦Omnis enim natura bestiarum, et volucrum, et serpentium, et ceterorum domantur, et domita sunt a natura humana :
8but the tongue no man can tame, an unquiet evil and full of deadly poison.but the tongue no man can tame, an vnquiet euil & ful of deadly poison.✦linguam autem nullus hominum domare potest : inquietum malum, plena veneno mortifero.
9By it we bless God and the Father: and by it we curse men which are made after the similitude of God.By it we blesse God & the Father: & by it we curse men which are made after the similitude of God.✦In ipsa benedicimus Deum et Patrem : et in ipsa maledicimus homines, qui ad similitudinem Dei facti sunt.
10Out of the self same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. These things must not be so done my brethren.Out of the self same mouth proceedeth blessing & cursing. These things must not be so done my brethren.✦Ex ipso ore procedit benedictio et maledictio. Non oportet, fratres mei, hæc ita fieri.
11Doth the fountain give forth out of one hole sweet and sour water?Doth the fountaine giue forth out of one hole sweete & soure water?✦Numquid fons de eodem foramine emanat dulcem et amaram aquam ?
12Can, my brethren, the fig tree yield grapes: or the vine, figs? So neither can the salt water yield sweet.Can, my brethren, the figge tree yeld grapes: or the vine, figges? So neither can the salt water yeld 'sweete.✦Numquid potest, fratres mei, ficus uvas facere, aut vitis ficus ? Sic neque salsa dulcem potest facere aquam.
13Who is wise and hath knowledge among you? Let him shew by good conversatione: manner of life, conduct, not talk his working in mildness of wisdom.Who is wise and hath knowledge among you? Let him shew by good conuersation his working in mildenesse of wisedom.✦Quis sapiens et disciplinatus inter vos ? Ostendat ex bona conversatione operationem suam in mansuetudine sapientiæ.
14But if you have bitter zeal, and there be contentions in your hearts: glory not, and be not liars against the truth.But if you haue bitter zeale, and there be contentions in your hartes: glorie not, and be not liers against the truth.✦Quod si zelum amarum habetis, et contentiones sint in cordibus vestris : nolite gloriari, et mendaces esse adversus veritatem :
15for this is not wisdom descending from above: but earthly, animalis: of the natural or animal life, unspiritual, not lustful, devilish.for this is not wisedom descending from aboue: but earthly, sensual, diuelish.✦non est enim ista sapientia desursum descendens : sed terrena, animalis, diabolica.
16For where zeal and contention is, there is inconstancy, and every perverse work.For where zeale and contention is, there is inconstancie, and euery peruerse worke.✦Ubi enim zelus et contentio, ibi inconstantia et omne opus pravum.
17But the wisdom that is from above, first certes is chaste: then peaceable, modest, suadibilis: easily persuaded, open to reason, consenting to the good, full of mercy and good fruits, not judging, without simulatione: dissembling, hypocrisy.But the wisedom that is from aboue, first certes is chaste: then peaceable, modest, suasible, consenting to the good, ful of mercie and good fruites, not iudging, without simulation.✦Quæ autem desursum est sapientia, primum quidem pudica est, deinde pacifica, modesta, suadibilis, bonis consentiens, plena misericordia et fructibus bonis, non judicans, sine simulatione.
18And the fruit of justice, in peace is sowed, to them that make peace.And the fruite of iustice, in peace is sowed, to them that make peace.✦Fructus autem justitiæ, in pace seminatur, facientibus pacem.
Annotationsfrom the original 1582 Rheims New Testament
1Many masters. He meaneth principally Sect-masters that make themselves several Ringleaders in sundry sorts of new devised doctrines: every one arrogating to himself to be master, and none so humble as to be a scholar, either to God's Church and true Pastors, or to other guides and authors of the said sects. So did Zwinglius disdain to be Luther's scholar, and Calvin to be the follower of Zwinglius.Many maisters,. He meaneth principally Sect-maisters that make them selues seueral Ringleaders in sundry sortes of new deuised doctrines: euery one arrogating to him selfe to be maister, and none so humble as to be a scholer, either to Gods Church and true Pastors, or to other guides and authors of the said sectes. So did Zuinglius disdaine to be Luthers scholer, and Caluin to be the folower of Zuinglius.
The reading text follows the 1582 first edition. Facsimile available in two scans.