Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.

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.

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.

And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.

With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;

For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.

Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.

from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.

Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?

Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.

So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.

This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.

And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.