Restraining the Tongue

3 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you^[a] know that we will receive a greater judgment.^{[b] 2} For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual,^[c] able to hold in check his whole body also. ³ And if we put bits in the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we also guide their whole bodies. ⁴ Behold also ships: although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot wishes. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small member of the body^[d] and boasts great things. Behold how small a fire sets ablaze how great a forest! ⁶ And the tongue is a fire! The world of unrighteousness,^[e] the tongue, is set among our members, defiling the whole body and setting on fire the course of human existence^[f], being set on fire by hell.

⁷ For every species of animals and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, is being tamed and has been tamed by the human species, ⁸ but no human being is able to tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless the^[g] Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. ¹⁰ From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so! ¹¹ A spring does not pour forth from the same opening fresh and bitter water, does it?^{[h] 12} A fig tree is not able, my brothers, to produce olives, or a grapevine figs. Neither can a saltwater spring produce fresh water.