1Not many of you become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive greater judgment.
2For in many ways we all stumble; if anyone does not stumble in what he says, this one is a perfect man, able indeed to bridle all the body.
3Now if we put the bits into the mouths of the horses for them to obey us, we turn about even all their body.
4Behold the ships also, being so great and being driven by strong winds, are turned about by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the one who steers decides.
5Thus also the tongue is a small member and boasts exceeding things. Behold how great a forest a great fire kindles;
6The tongue also is a fire, the world of iniquity; thus the tongue is set among our members, defiling all the body and setting on fire the course of nature, and itself being set on fire by the Valley of Hinnom.
7For all kinds of beasts and of birds, both of creeping things and things of the sea, is subdued and has been subdued by the human race;
8But no one of men is able to subdue the tongue; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse the men who have been made according to the likeness of God;
10Out of the same mouth proceed forth blessing and cursing. These things ought not so to be, my brothers.
11Surely the spring does not ever pour forth out of the same opening both the fresh and the bitter?
12Surely a fig tree is not able to produce olives, my brothers, or a vine figs? Thus neither can a spring of salt produce fresh water.
13Who is wise and understanding among you? He should show his works out of his good conduct in the humility of wisdom.
14However if you have bitter jealousy and self-interest in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth.
15This is not the wisdom coming down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16For where jealousy and self-interest exist, there will be disorder and every evil thing.
17But the wisdom from above is first indeed pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of compassion and of good fruits, impartial, and sincere.
18Moreover the fruit of righteousness is sown in wholeness by those who make wholeness.