Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment.
For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, that person is fully mature, being able to bridle his whole body as well.
Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole body as well.
Look! The ships also, though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot wants to go.
So also the tongue is a small part, and yet it boasts great things. Look how small a fire sets ablaze such a large forest!
And the tongue is a fire! The tongue—a world of unrighteousness—appoints itself among the parts of our body, staining the whole body and setting on fire the course of life, and is being set on fire by Gehenna.
For every species of beast and bird, reptile and sea creature, is subdued and has been subdued by the human species.
But no one is able to subdue the human tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made according to the likeness of God.
Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.
Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both sweet and bitter water?
My brothers and sisters, is a fig tree able to produce olives, or can a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring produce sweet water.
Wisdom from Above
Who is wise and has understanding among you? By his good way of life let him show his works with meekness that comes from wisdom.
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast about your wisdom and lie against the truth.
This wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, worldly-minded, demonic.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil practice.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, reasonable, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruit, without prejudice, without hypocrisy.
And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.