Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].

What is the benefit, my fellow believers, if someone claims to have faith but has no [good] works [as evidence]? Can that [kind of] faith save him? [No, a mere claim of faith is not sufficient—genuine faith produces good works.]

But someone may say, “You [claim to] have faith and I have [good] works; show me your [alleged] faith without the works [if you can], and I will show you my faith by my works [that is, by what I do].”

Now if we put bits into the horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we guide their whole body as well.

In the same sense, the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.

See [by comparison] how great a forest is set on fire by a small spark!

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

But no one can tame the human tongue; it is a restless evil [undisciplined, unstable], full of deadly poison.

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