1
My brothers, not many of you should become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter Judgment.
2
For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in speech, this one is a complete ish, able also to bridle the whole body.
3
See— we place bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, and we turn their whole body.
4
See also the ships— though they are so great and driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the desire of the pilot directs.
5
So also the tongue is a small member, yet boasts great things. See how small a fire sets ablaze so great a forest.
6
And the tongue is a fire— a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members as that which stains the whole body, sets on fire the course of life, and is itself set on fire by Gei-Hinnom.
7
For every kind of beast, and bird, and creeping thing, and creature of the sea is subdued and has been subdued by the nature of Adam.
8
But the tongue no Adam is able to subdue. It is an unstable evil, full of deadly poison.
9
With it we bless the Master and Father, and with it we curse Adam, who have been made according to the likeness of Elohim.
10
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be this way.
11
Does a spring send forth from the same opening both sweet water and bitter?
12
My brothers, is a fig tree able to produce olives? Or a grapevine figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
13
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show, from his good conduct, his works in the humility that comes from wisdom.
14
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth.
15
This wisdom does not descend from above. Rather, it is earthly, driven by the flesh, and corrupt in ruach.
16
For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is disorder and every worthless work.
17
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of compassion and good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy.
18
And the fruit of Righteousness is sown in shalom by those who make shalom.