1 AMatt 23:8; Rom 2:20f; 1 Tim 1:7Let not many of you become teachers, BJames 1:16; 3:10my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a 1Or greater condemnationstricter judgment. 2 For we all AJames 2:10stumble in many ways. BMatt 12:34-37; James 3:2-12If anyone does not stumble in 1Lit wordwhat he says, he is a CJames 1:4perfect man, able to DJames 1:26bridle the whole body as well. 3 Now APs 32:9if 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 APs 12:3f; 73:8fboasts of great things.

BProv 26:20f

See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And APs 120:2, 3; Prov 16:27the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which BMatt 12:36f; 15:11, 18fdefiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our 1Or existence, originlife, and is set on fire by 2Gr GehennaCMatt 5:22hell. 7 For every 1Lit naturespecies of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human 1Lit naturerace. 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of APs 140:3; Eccl 10:11; Rom 3:13deadly poison. 9 With it we bless AJames 1:27our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, BGen 1:26; 1 Cor 11:7who 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 1Lit sweetfresh and bitter water? 12 AMatt 7:16Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce 1V 11, note 1fresh.

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? AJames 2:18Let him show by his B1 Pet 2:12good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter ARom 2:8; 2 Cor 12:20; James 3:16jealousy and 1Or strifeselfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against B1 Tim 2:4; James 1:18; 5:19the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down AJames 1:17from above, but is B1 Cor 2:6; 3:19earthly, 1Or unspiritualC2 Cor 1:12; Jude 19natural, D2 Thess 2:9f; 1 Tim 4:1; Rev 2:24demonic. 16 For where ARom 2:8; 2 Cor 12:20; James 3:14jealousy and 1V 14, note 1selfish ambition exist, 2I.e. in that placethere is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom AJames 1:17from above is first B2 Cor 7:11; James 4:8pure, then CMatt 5:9; Heb 12:11peaceable, DTitus 3:2gentle, 1Or willing to yieldreasonable, ELuke 6:36; James 2:13full of mercy and good fruits, FJames 2:4unwavering, without GRom 12:9; 2 Cor 6:6hypocrisy. 18 And the 1Lit fruit of righteousnessAProv 11:18; Is 32:17; Hos 10:12; Amos 6:12; Gal 6:8; Phil 1:11seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace 2Or forby those who make peace.