Taming the Tongue

1MY brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive a severer judgment. 2For in many things we all offend. If any man offend not in word, he is a perfect man, and capable of reining in the whole body. 3Behold, we put bits into the horses? mouths, that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body. 4Behold also the ships, though so great, and driven by tempestuous winds, are turned about by the smallest rudder, whithersoever the inclination of the pilot pleaseth. 5So also the tongue is a little member, and proudly vaunts. Behold how great a pile of wood, a little fire kindleth! 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: in such manner is the tongue placed among our members, that it defileth all the body, and setteth on fire the circle of nature; and is set on fire of hell. 7For every species of wild beasts, and also of birds, of reptiles, and even of fishes, is tamed, and hath also been tamed by human ingenuity: 8but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9With it we bless God even the Farther; and with the same we curse men, though after the likeness of God. 10Out of the same mouth goeth forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be thus. 11Doth a fountain from the same aperture spout forth sweet water and bitter? 12Can a fig-tree, my brethren, produce olives; or a vine figs? so also can no fountain send forth salt water and sweet.

The Wisdom from Above

13Who is a wise man and intelligent among you, let him shew in a becoming conduct his works with the meekness of wisdom. 14But if ye have bitter envy and contention in your heart, boast not, and lie not against the truth. 15This is not the wisdom which cometh from above, but is earthly, sensual, diabolical. 16For where envy and contention dwell, there is tumult and every vile deed. 17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, meek, easily persuadable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and void of dissimulation. 18But the fruit of righteousness in peace is sown for those who are peacemakers.