Speak Wisely

1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teacha will be judged more severely than others.b 2For all of us make many mistakes. If someone does not make any mistakes when he speaks, he is perfect and able to control his whole body. 3Now if we put bits into horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we can guide their whole bodies as well. 4And look at ships! They are so big that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the helmsman directs.

5In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it can boast of great achievements. A huge forest can be set on fire by a little flame. 6The tongue is a fire, a world of evil. Placed among the parts of our bodies, the tongue contaminates the whole body and sets on fire the course of life, and is itself set on fire by hell.c 7For all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures can be or have been tamed by humans, 8but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil filled with deadly poison. 9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in God’s likeness. 10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. It should not be like this, my brothers! 11A spring cannot pour both fresh and brackish water from the same opening, can it? 12My brothers, a fig tree cannot produce olives, nor a grapevine figs, can it? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Live Wisely

13Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his noble conduct that his actions are done humbly and wisely. 14But if you have bitter jealousy and rivalry in your hearts, stop boasting and slandering the truth. 15That kind of wisdom does not come from above. No, it is worldly, self-centered, and demonic. 16For wherever jealousy and rivalry exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil.

17However, the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, willing to yield, full of compassion and good deeds,d and without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. 18And a harvest of righteousness is grown from the seed of peacee planted by peacemakers.