1My brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers. You know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2For we all fail in many ways. If anyone never fails in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check as well.
3Look, we put bits in horses' mouths to make them obey us, and so we turn their whole body about.
4Look at ships too. They are very large, and strong winds drive them, yet a very small rudder turns them wherever the pilot wants to go.
5In the same way the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it boasts of great things. Look how great a fire a little flame can start.
6And the tongue is a fire, a world of evil. Among the parts of our body the tongue is such that it stains the whole body. It sets on fire the whole course of our life, and it is set on fire by hell.
7Every kind of animal, bird, snake and sea creature can be tamed, and has been tamed by people.
8But no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9With it we bless God, the Father, and with it we curse people, who are made in the likeness of God.
10Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be so.
11Does a spring pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening?
12My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a vine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring give fresh water.
13Who among you is wise and has understanding? Let him show it by his good conduct, by works done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
14But if you have bitter envy and rivalry in your hearts, do not boast, and do not lie against the truth.
15This wisdom does not come down from above. It is earthly, unspiritual, devilish.
16For where there is envy and rivalry, there is confusion and every evil deed.
17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and willing to yield. It is full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.