The Tongue is a Fire
MY brothers, let not many of you be teachers, knowing that we will receive stricter judgement.
2 For in many things we all stumble. If any man does not stumble in word, he is a morally perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3 See, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they obey us; and we guide their whole body.
4 Behold also the ships, which are so great in size, and are driven of fierce winds, yet they are turned about with a very small rudder, wheresoever the helmsman desires.
5 ¶ And so the tongue is a small member, and boasts great things. Behold, how great a forest a little fire sets ablaze!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness: Thus, is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of our existence; and is set on fire itself by Hell.
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed of mankind:
8 But the tongue no man can tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 ¶ With it, we praise our God and Father; and with it, we curse men, which are made in the likeness of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not be so.
11 Does a spring send forth at the same opening sweet water and bitter?
12 Can the fig tree, my brothers, bear olives? or a vine, figs? Thus, no spring can yield both salt and fresh water!
Show Wisdom Through Good Works
13 ¶ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by means of good conduct, his works in the meekness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and rivalry in your hearts, boast not, and so lie against the truth.
15 This wisdom has not descended from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 For where jealousy and rivalry is, there is turmoil and every evil work.
17 ¶ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, and open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace, of those that make peace.