Taming the Tongue

1Be ye not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive the greater judgment. 2For we all fail in many things; if any one fails not in word, the same is a perfect man, able even to bridle the whole body. 3But if we put bridles into the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us; and we manage their whole body; 4behold also the ships, being so great, and driven by fierce winds, are managed by the smallest rudder, whithersoever the will of the steersman prefers; 5so also the tongue is a little member, and it boasts great things. Behold, how great a wood a little fire kindles! 6The tongue, a fire, the world of iniquity: the tongue sits down in the midst of our members, and corrupting the whole body, and setting on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire from hell. 7For every nature both of wild beasts, and of birds, and of creeping things, and of oceanic animals, is subdued, and has been subjugated to human nature: 8but no one of men is able to tame the tongue; an incorrigible evil, full of deadly poison. 9With it we bless the Lord, even the Father; and with it we scold the people, who have been made after the image of God: 10out of the same mouth come forth blessing and scolding. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11Whether does the fountain out of the same chink send forth sweet water and bitter? 12My brethren, whether is the fig-tree able to produce olives, or the vine figs? Neither is the bitter fountain able to produce sweet water.

The Wisdom from Above

13Who is wise and instructed among you? Let him show forth out of beautiful conduct his works in meekness of wisdom. 14But if you have bitter envy and strife in your heart, do not boast, and lie against the truth. 15This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but it is earthly, intellectual, and demoniacal. 16For where there are envy and strife, there are contention and every evil work. 17But the wisdom which is from above is indeed first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily persuaded, full of mercy and of good works, free from partiality and hypocrisy. 18But the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace to those who are making peace.