The Tongue Is a Fire

1 aLet not many of you become teachers, bmy brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a 1stricter judgment.

2 For we all astumble in many ways. bIf anyone does not stumble in 1what he says, he is a cperfect man, able to dbridle the whole body as well.

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

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.

5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it aboasts of great things.

bSee how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!

6 And athe tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which bdefiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our 1life, and is set on fire by 2chell.

7 For every 1species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human 1race.

8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of adeadly poison.

9 With it we bless aour Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, bwho have been made in the likeness of God;

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

11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both 1fresh and bitter water?