| Chapter 3 |
1 |
Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. |
2 |
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. |
3 |
Indeed, we put bits into the horses` mouths so that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body. |
4 |
Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires. |
5 |
So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire! |
6 |
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. |
7 |
For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind. |
8 |
But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. |
9 |
With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God. |
10 |
Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. |
11 |
Does a spring send forth from the same opening fresh and bitter water? |
12 |
Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water. |
13 |
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show his deeds done in gentleness of wisdom by his good life. |
14 |
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don`t boast and don`t lie against the truth. |
15 |
This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. |
16 |
For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. |
17 |
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. |
18 |
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. |