Controlling the Tongue

3 Not many should become teachers, my * brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment, k 2 for we all stumble in many ways. l If anyone does not stumble in what he says, m he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body. n o

3 Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, p we also guide the whole animal. q 4 And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. r Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites. 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, s sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by * hell.

7 Every sea creature, reptile, bird, or animal is tamed and has been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. t 9 We praise our u Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God’s likeness with it. v 10 Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, 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, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.

The Wisdom from Above

13 Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness. w 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and deny the truth. x 15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. y 16 For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. z 18 And the fruit of righteousness a is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.