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mean of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or consider ships by way of example: although they are very large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot directs. 5 Likewise the tongue is also a small member of the body, yet it boasts of great things. Consider how a great forest is set ablaze by a small fire. 6 The tongue is also a fire, a world of evil. The tongue is also placed among the parts of the body, yet it pollutes the whole body and sets on fire the whole cycle of life, and is itself set on fire by Gehenna.
7 For every kind of animal or bird, reptile or fish, can be tamed and has been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, things should not be this way. 11 Can both fresh water and bitter water pour forth from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salty spring produce fresh water.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by the goodness of his life that his works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. 14 But if you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it and lie in defiance of the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is also disorder and every kind of evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes down from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, willing to yield, and full of mercy and good fruits; and without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Those who sow in peace raise in peace a harvest of the fruit of righteousness.