Taming the Tongue

1My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2For in many things we all offend. If any man offendeth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3Behold, we put bits in the mouths of horses, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4Behold also the ships, which though they are so great, and are driven by fierce winds, yet they are turned about with a very small helm, withersoever the governor willeth. 5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire from hell. 7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of animals in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind: 8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9With this we bless God, even the Father; and with this we curse men, who are made after the similitude of God. 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12Can the fig-tree, my brethren, bear olive-berries? or a vine, figs? so no fountain can yield both salt water and fresh.

True Wisdom from Above

13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show by a good deportment his works with meekness of wisdom. 14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, demoniacal. 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 easy to be entreated, 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.