1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a greater judgment.
2For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in word, this one is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.
3Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we also guide their whole body.
4Look also at the ships: though they are so large and driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the steersman wills.
5So too the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a fire kindles how great a forest!
6And the tongue is a fire, the world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body and setting on fire the course of life, and being set on fire by Gehenna.
7For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, is tamed and has been tamed by humankind,
8but no one among humans can tame the tongue — a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who have been made in the likeness of God;
10out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things ought not to be so, my brothers.
11Does the spring pour out from the same opening the sweet and the bitter?
12Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a vine figs? Neither can salt water produce sweet.
13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show his works out of good conduct, in the gentleness of wisdom.
14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth.
15This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic;
16for where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every worthless deed.
17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, without hypocrisy.
18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
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