1
WEB
Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
2
WEB
For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also.
3
WEB
Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.
4
WEB
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
WEB
So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!
6
WEB
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
WEB
For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind;
8
WEB
but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9
WEB
With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the image of God.
10
WEB
Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
11
WEB
Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
12
WEB
Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.
13
WEB
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
14
WEB
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.
15
WEB
This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
16
WEB
For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
17
WEB
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
WEB
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
WEB: World English Bible (Protestant edition). Public domain.