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¹ My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.² For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.³ Indeed, [fn] we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. ⁴ Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.⁵ Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.⁷ For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.⁸ But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.⁹ With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.¹⁰ Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.¹¹ Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?¹² Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. [fn]

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.¹⁵ This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.¹⁶ For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.¹⁸ Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.