Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.

Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.

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

For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn't stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.

And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.

With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God.

For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind.

Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.

Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

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

Indeed, we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.

So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth.

For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

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

Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.