Taming the Tongue
1My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that wewho are such shall pass a stricter trialthan others: for in many things we all offend;2and if any offend not in word, he is a compleat man, able to manage also the whole body.3Behold we put bridles into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us, and we turn their whole bodyas we please.4Behold also the ships which are of so great bulk,and even whenthey are driven by hard winds,yet are turned about by a very small helm which way soever the pilot pleaseth.5So the tongue is a small partof the body, yet boasteth great things. Behold how much fuel a little fire kindleth!6And the tongueis a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among ourseveral parts, defiling the whole body, inflaming the course of nature, andis set on fire by hell.7For every kind of wild beasts, and birds, and reptiles, and fishes, is tamed and hath been tamed by mankind:8but the tongue can no man tame;it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.9With it we bless God even the Father; and with it we curse men, who are made after the likeness of God:10out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not so to be.11Does a fountain from the same opening send forth sweetwater and bitter?12Can a fig-tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine figs? socan no fountain produce salt water and sweet.
The Wisdom from Above
13Is there any wise and understandingman among you? let him shew his works by a good conversation in the meekness of wisdom:14but if ye have bitter envy and strife in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth;15this is not the wisdom, that cometh down from above, butis earthly, sensual,and diabolical:16for where envying and strifeis, there is confusion and every evil work.17But the wisdomthat is from above first is pure, then peaceable, mild, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those that promote peace.
