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¹ Let there not be many teachers among you, my brethren; but know ye, that we are obnoxious to, a severer judgment.² For we all offend in many things. Whoever offendeth not in discourse, is a perfect man, who can also keep his whole body in subjection.³ Behold, we put bridles into the mouth of horses, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.⁴ Huge ships also, when strong winds drive them, are turned about by a small timber, to what place the pleasure of the pilot looketh.⁵ So likewise the tongue is a small member, and it exalteth itself. Also a little fire inflameth large forests.⁶ Now the tongue is a fire, and the world of sin is like a forest. And this tongue, which is one among our members, marreth our whole body; and it inflameth the series of our generations that roll on like a wheel; and it is itself on fire.⁷ For all natures of beasts and birds and reptiles, of the sea or land, are subjugated by the nature of man.⁸ But the tongue hath no one been able to tame: it is an evil thing, not coercible, and full of deadly poison.⁹ For with it, we bless the Lord and Father; and with it we curse men, who were made in the image of God:¹⁰ and from the same mouth, proceed curses and blessings. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.¹¹ Can there flow from the same fountain, sweet waters and bitter?¹² Or can the fig-tree, my brethren, bear olives? or the vine, figs? So also salt waters cannot be made sweet.

¹³ Who is wise and instructed among you? Let him show his works in praiseworthy actions, with modest wisdom.¹⁴ But if bitter envy be in you, or contention in your hearts, exalt not yourselves against the truth, and lie not.¹⁵ For this wisdom cometh not down from above; but is earthly, and from the devices of the soul, and from demons.¹⁶ For where envy and contention are, there also is confusion, and every thing wrong.¹⁷ But the wisdom which is from above, is pure, and full of peace, and mild, and submissive, and full of compassion and of good fruits, and without partiality, and without respect of persons.¹⁸ And the fruits of righteousness are sown in stillness, by them who make peace.