[1] Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
[2] For 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.
[3] Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.
[4] Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.
[5] So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!
[6] And the 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.
[7] For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind.
[8] But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
[9] With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God.
[10] Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
[11] Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
[12] Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.
[13] Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
[14] But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.
[15] This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
[16] For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
[17] But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
[18] Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.