The Power of the Tongue

1My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the severer judgment.

2For in many things we all offend. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

3Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven by fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.

5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how great a forest a little fire kindles!

6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind:

8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9With this bless we God, even the Father; and with this curse we men, who are made after the similitude of God.

10Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

11Does a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

Wisdom from Above and from the Earth

13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good life his works with meekness of wisdom.

14But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, boast not, and lie not against the truth.

15This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.

16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by them that make peace.