5 So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things.x Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placedG among our members. It stains the whole body,y sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish is tamed and has been tamed by humankind, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.z 9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness.aa 10 Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. 11 Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.

THE WISDOM FROM ABOVE

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.ab 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth.ac 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.ad 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.a 18 And the fruit of righteousnessb is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.