My brothers do not be many teachers, knowing that we will receive greater judgment.
2For we all stumble in many ways. If any one does not stumble in word, this one is a mature man, able also to bridle the whole body.
3Behold, we put bits in the mouths of the horses, for them to obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4Behold, the ships also, being so great, and being driven by violent winds, they are directed by a very small rudder, where the impulse of the one steering purposes.
5So also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how little a fire kindles how large a forest!
6And the tongue is a fire, the world of iniquity. So the tongue is set among our members, spotting all the body, and inflaming the course of nature, and being inflamed by Hell.
7For every species of beasts, both indeed of birds, of creeping things, and of sea animals, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human species;
8but no one of men is able to tame the tongue; it is an unrestrainable evil, full of death-dealing poison.
9By this we bless God and the Father; and by this we curse men having come into being according to the image of God. (See Gen. 1:26)
10Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, it is not fitting for these things to be so.
11Does the fountain out of the same hole send forth the sweet and the bitter?
12My brothers, a fig tree is not able to produce olives, or a vine figs. So neither can a fountain produce both salt and sweet water.
13Who is wise and knowing among you? Let him show his works by his good behavior, in meekness of wisdom.
14But if you have bitter jealousy and contention in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth.
15This is not the wisdom coming down from above, but is earthly, beastly, devilish.
16For where jealousy and contention are, there is confusion and every foul deed.
17But the wisdom from above is firstly truly pure, then peaceable, forbearing, yielding, full of mercy and of good fruits, not partial and not pretended.
18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for the ones making peace.