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The Tongue Is a Fire

^1 (C1)Do not become teachers in large numbers, ^(C2)my brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a ^(F1)stricter judgment.² For we all ^(C1)stumble in many ways. ^(C2)If anyone does not stumble in ^(F1)what he says, he is a ^(C3)perfect man, able to ^(F2)(C4)rein in the whole body as well.³ Now ^(C1)if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their whole body as well.⁴ Look at the ships too: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are nevertheless directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot determines.

⁵ So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it ^(C1)boasts of great things. ^(C2)See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!⁶ And ^(C1)the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among ^(F1)our body's parts as that which ^(C2)defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our ^(F2)life, and is set on fire by ^(F3)(C3)hell.⁷ For every ^(F1)species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human ^(F1)race.⁸ But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of ^(C1)deadly poison.⁹ With it we bless ^(C1)our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, ^(C2)who have been made in the likeness of God;¹⁰ from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.¹¹ Does a spring send out from the same opening both ^(F1)fresh and bitter water?^12 (C1)Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, bear olives, or a vine bear figs? Nor can salt water produce ^(F1)fresh.

Wisdom from Above

¹³ Who among you is wise and understanding? ^(C1)Let him show by his ^(C2)good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.¹⁴ But if you have bitter ^(C1)jealousy and ^(F1)selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against ^(C2)the truth.¹⁵ This wisdom is not that which comes down ^(C1)from above, but is ^(C2)earthly, ^(F1)(C3)natural, ^(C4)demonic.¹⁶ For where ^(C1)jealousy and ^(F1)selfish ambition exist, ^(F2)there is disorder and every evil thing.¹⁷ But the wisdom ^(C1)from above is first ^(C2)pure, then ^(C3)peace-loving, ^(C4)gentle, ^(F1)reasonable, ^(C5)full of mercy and good fruits, ^(F2)(C6)impartial, free of ^(C7)hypocrisy.¹⁸ And the ^(C1)fruit of righteousness is sown in peace ^(F1)by those who make peace.