Taming the Tongue

Not many of you should become teachers,(A) my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged(B) more strictly.(C) We all stumble(D) in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say(E) is perfect,(F) able to keep their whole body in check.(G)

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.(H) Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.(I) Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire,(J) a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body,(K) sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.(L)

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

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.(N) 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?(O) Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

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

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven(W) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,(X) considerate, submissive, full of mercy(Y) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.(Z) 18 Peacemakers(AA) who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.(AB)

Hay que domar la lengua

Hermanos míos, no pretendan muchos de ustedes ser maestros, pues, como saben, seremos juzgados con más severidad. Todos fallamos mucho. Si alguien nunca falla en lo que dice, es una persona perfecta, capaz también de dominar todo su cuerpo.

Cuando ponemos freno en la boca de los caballos para que nos obedezcan, podemos controlar todo el animal. Fíjense también en los barcos. A pesar de ser tan grandes y ser impulsados por fuertes vientos, se controlan por un pequeño timón a voluntad del piloto. Así también la lengua es un miembro muy pequeño del cuerpo, pero hace alarde de grandes hazañas. ¡Imagínense qué gran bosque se incendia con tan pequeña chispa! También la lengua es un fuego, un mundo de maldad entre nuestros órganos. Contamina todo el cuerpo y, encendida por el infierno, prende fuego a todo el curso de la vida.

El ser humano sabe domar y, en efecto, ha domado toda clase de fieras, de aves, reptiles y bestias marinas; pero nadie puede domar la lengua. Es un mal irrefrenable, lleno de veneno mortal.

Con la lengua bendecimos a nuestro Señor y Padre, y con ella maldecimos a las personas, creadas a imagen de Dios. 10 De una misma boca salen bendición y maldición. Hermanos míos, esto no debe ser así. 11 ¿Puede acaso brotar de una misma fuente agua dulce y agua amarga? 12 Hermanos míos, ¿acaso puede dar aceitunas una higuera o higos una vid? Pues tampoco una fuente de agua amarga puede dar agua dulce.

Dos clases de sabiduría

13 ¿Quién es sabio y entendido entre ustedes? Que lo demuestre con su buena conducta, mediante obras hechas con la humildad que le da su sabiduría. 14 Pero si ustedes tienen envidias amargas y rivalidades en el corazón, dejen de presumir y de faltar a la verdad. 15 Esa no es la sabiduría que desciende del cielo, sino que es terrenal, no espiritual y demoníaca. 16 Porque donde hay envidias y rivalidades, también hay confusión y toda clase de acciones malvadas.

17 En cambio, la sabiduría que desciende del cielo es ante todo pura y además pacífica, respetuosa, dócil, llena de compasión y de buenos frutos, imparcial y sincera. 18 En fin, el fruto de la justicia se siembra en paz para[a] los que hacen la paz.

Footnotes

  1. 3:18 para. Alt. por.

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.