Not many of you should be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
2For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn't stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.
3Indeed, we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body.
4Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.
5So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!
6The tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.
For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind.
8But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9With it, we bless the Lord and Father, and with it, we curse men, who are made in the image of God.
10Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
11Does a spring send forth from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
12Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.
13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show his deeds done in gentleness of wisdom by his good life.
14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth.
15This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
16For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, and without hypocrisy.
18The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.