Gia-cơ 3

The power of the tongue

¹Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. ²For all of us stumble in many ways. Anyone who does not stumble in what they say is a perfect person, able to keep the whole body in check as well. ³When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we steer their whole body as well.^{a 4}Or look at ships. They are so large, and fierce winds drive them, yet a very small rudder turns them wherever the pilot means to go. ⁵In the same way the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it boasts of great things.

Look how small a flame can set so large a forest on fire!^{b 6}And the tongue is a fire. It takes its place among the parts of our body as a world of wrongdoing: it stains the whole body, it sets the whole course of life on fire, and it is itself set on fire by hell.^{c 7}Every kind of wild animal and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is being tamed and has been tamed by humankind. ⁸But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.^{d 9}With the tongue we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in the likeness of God.^{e 10}Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, it must not be this way. ¹¹Does a spring pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening? ¹²My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree yield olives, or a grapevine yield figs? Nor can a salt spring give fresh water.^f

The wisdom from above

¹³Who among you is wise and understanding? Let them show it by a good life, by works done in the gentleness that wisdom gives. ¹⁴But if bitter jealousy and selfish ambition fill your hearts, do not boast, and do not lie against the truth. ¹⁵This is not the kind of wisdom that comes down from above; it belongs to the earth, to mere human nature, and to demons. ¹⁶Wherever jealousy and selfish ambition are found, disorder follows, and every kind of evil deed. ¹⁷But the wisdom from above is, first of all, pure. It also makes for peace; it is gentle and willing to yield; it is full of mercy and of good fruits; it plays no favorites, and it is free of pretense.^{g 18}Those who make peace sow their seed in peace, and the fruit it yields is righteousness.^h