The Untamable Tongue

3 My brethren, ^(A)let not many of you become teachers, ^(B)knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. ² For ^(C)we all stumble in many things. ^(D)If anyone does not stumble in word, ^(E)he is a ^[a]perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. ^3 [b]Indeed, ^(F)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 ^(G)the tongue is a little member and ^(H)boasts great things.

See how great a forest a little fire kindles! ⁶ And ^(I)the tongue is a fire, a world of ^[c]iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it ^(J)defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of ^[d]nature; and it is set on fire by ^[e]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, ^(K)full of deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made ^(L)in the ^[f]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 ^(M)fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? ^[g]Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

Heavenly Versus Demonic Wisdom

^13 (N)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 ^(O)bitter envy and ^[h]self-seeking in your hearts, ^(P)do not boast and lie against the truth. ^15 (Q)This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. ¹⁶ For ^(R)where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. ¹⁷ But ^(S)the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, ^(T)without partiality ^(U)and without hypocrisy. ^18 (V)Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Pride Promotes Strife

4 Where do ^[i]wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure ^(W)that war in your members? ² You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and ^[j]war. ^[k]Yet you do not have because you do not ask. ^3 (X)You ask and do not receive, ^(Y)because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. ^4 [l]Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that ^(Z)friendship with the world is enmity with God? ^(AA)Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. ⁵ Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, ^(AB)“The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?

⁶ But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:

Humility Cures Worldliness

⁷ Therefore submit to God. ^(AD)Resist the devil and he will flee from you. ^8 (AE)Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. ^(AF)Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and ^(AG)purify your hearts, you double-minded. ^9 (AH)Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. ^10 (AI)Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Do Not Judge a Brother

^11 (AJ)Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother ^(AK)and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. ¹² There is one ^[m]Lawgiver, ^(AL)who is able to save and to destroy. ^(AM)Who^[n] are you to judge ^[o]another?

Praise to God in Creation and Redemption