The Untamable Tongue

3 My brethren, alet not many of you become teachers, bknowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For cwe all stumble in many things. dIf anyone does not stumble in word, ehe is a 1perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 2Indeed, fwe put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so gthe tongue is a little member and hboasts great things.

See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And ithe tongue is a fire, a world of 3iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it jdefiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of 4nature; and it is set on fire by 5hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, kfull of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made lin the 6similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a mfig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? 7Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

Heavenly Versus Demonic Wisdom

13 nWho is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have obitter envy and 8self-seeking in your hearts, pdo not boast and lie against the truth. 15 qThis wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For rwhere envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But sthe wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, twithout partiality uand without hypocrisy. 18 vNow the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.