¹⁰ Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. ¹¹ What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them,^(A) but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”^(B)

¹⁸ But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart,^(A) and these defile them. ¹⁹ For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.^{(B) 20} These are what defile a person;^(C) but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.^(A) Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire,^(B) a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body,^(C) sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.^(D)

⁷ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.^(E)

⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.^{(F) 10} Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹² My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?^(G) Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it^(H) by their good life, by deeds^(I) done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition^(J) in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.^{(K) 15} Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven^(L) but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.^{(M) 16} For where you have envy and selfish ambition,^(N) there you find disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven^(O) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,^(P) considerate, submissive, full of mercy^(Q) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.^{(R) 18} Peacemakers^(S) who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.^(T)