The Power of the Tongue

¹Not many of y’all should become teachers, my siblings, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment.

²For we all stumble in many ways. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in what they say is a perfect person, able to bridle their entire body.

³When we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they will obey us, we direct their whole body.

⁴Look at the ships too. Though they are large and driven by fierce winds, they are directed by a tiny rudder, wherever the pilot desires.

⁵Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. See how a small flame can set a large forest ablaze!

⁶The tongue is also a fire, a world of evil set among the parts of our body. It defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of our existence, and is itself set on fire by hell.

⁷For every species of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is tamed and has been tamed by the human species,

⁸but no human can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse humans who are made in the image of God.

¹⁰Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My siblings, things should not be this way.

¹¹Does the same spring pour out fresh and bitter water from the same opening?

¹²My siblings, can a fig tree produce olives, or a vine figs? Neither can a salty spring produce fresh water.

True Wisdom

¹³Who among y’all is wise and understanding? Let them show it by their excellent behavior and works done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.

¹⁴But if y’all have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your* heart, y’all must not boast or lie against the truth.

¹⁵Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, natural, and demonic.

¹⁶For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and without hypocrisy.

¹⁸Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.