The Fire No One Can Tame
3 1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, knowing that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man, able to control his whole body as well. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships too: though they are so large and driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot chooses. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it boasts of great things. See how a small fire can set a great forest ablaze! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness set among the parts of our body. It stains the whole body, sets the whole course of life ablaze, and is itself set ablaze by hell. a a v6 Gehenna was the Valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem, a place of burning refuse that became a picture of final judgment — here, hell itself. 7 For every kind of animal and bird, of reptile and sea creature, is tamed and has been tamed by humankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Sovereign Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of our Father. b b v9 Every person is made in the likeness of our Father; to curse another human being is to revile one who carries his very image. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Does a spring pour out both fresh and bitter water from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, bear olives, or a grapevine figs? Neither can a salt spring yield fresh water.
Wisdom From Above
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show his works through his good conduct, in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast or lie against the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.