1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.[ † ]Matthew 23:8Romans 2:211 Timothy 1:7Luke 6:37 2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.[ † ]1 Kings 8:46Psalms 34:13Matthew 12:34-37James 3:2-12
3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.[ † ]Psalms 32:9 4Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined.
5In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.[ † ]Proverbs 12:18Proverbs 15:2James 1:26Psalms 12:3Psalms 73:8 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.[ † ]Psalms 120:2-3Proverbs 16:27Matthew 12:36Matthew 15:11-18
7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.[ † ]Psalms 140:3Ecclesiastes 10:11Romans 3:13
9With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.[ † ]Genesis 1:26Genesis 5:1Genesis 9:61 Corinthians 11:7 10Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.[ † ]Matthew 7:16-20
13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.[ † ]Galatians 6:4 14But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.[ † ]Romans 13:13Romans 2:17 15Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.[ † ]Philippians 3:19 16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.[ † ]1 Corinthians 3:3
17But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.[ † ]1 Corinthians 2:6-7James 2:1Romans 12:92 Corinthians 6:61 Peter 1:22 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.[ † ]Proverbs 11:18Isaiah 32:17Hosea 10:12Amos 6:12Galatians 6:8Philippians 1:11