The Tongue Is a Fire

3 ^(A)Let not many of you become teachers, ^(B)my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a ^[a]stricter judgment. ² For we all ^(C)stumble in many ways. ^(D)If anyone does not stumble in ^[b]what he says, he is a ^(E)perfect man, able to ^(F)bridle the whole body as well. ³ Now ^(G)if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. ⁴ Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it ^(H)boasts of great things.

^(I)See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! ⁶ And ^(J)the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which ^(K)defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our ^[c]life, and is set on fire by ^[d](L)hell. ⁷ For every ^[e]species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human ^[f]race. ⁸ But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of ^(M)deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless ^(N)our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, ^(O)who have been made in the likeness of God; ¹⁰ from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. ¹¹ Does a fountain send out from the same opening both ^[g]fresh and bitter water? ^12 (P)Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce ^[h]fresh.

Wisdom from Above

¹³ Who among you is wise and understanding? ^(Q)Let him show by his ^(R)good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter ^(S)jealousy and ^[i]selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against ^(T)the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom is not that which comes down ^(U)from above, but is ^(V)earthly, ^[j](W)natural, ^(X)demonic. ¹⁶ For where ^(Y)jealousy and ^[k]selfish ambition exist, ^[l]there is disorder and every evil thing. ¹⁷ But the wisdom ^(Z)from above is first ^(AA)pure, then ^(AB)peaceable, ^(AC)gentle, ^[m]reasonable, ^(AD)full of mercy and good fruits, ^(AE)unwavering, without ^(AF)hypocrisy. ¹⁸ And the ^[n](AG)seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace ^[o]by those who make peace.