The power of words
1 Don’t be eager to be teachers, my sisters and brothers, because we who teach will be judged according to a higher standard. 2 We all trip up a lot, but if you don’t trip up in your words you are mature and self-controlled. 3 Now we put bridles on horses to make them go where we lead, 4 and we control huge ships with a tiny rudder operated according to the will of the one at the helm. 5 In the same way, the tongue is small and proud, but look at what a huge fire it can start! And a fire it is, a world of unrighteousness. 6 The tongue is situated to lead the whole body and ignite it all, and is itself ignited by the eternal fire.
7 But though people have tamed everything in nature— the beasts and birds and reptiles, and even sea creatures— 8 no one can tame the tongue. It is an evil, poisonous fang. 9 We use it to bless the Master and Father, yet also to curse people who were made in the likeness of God. 10 Out of the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. Things don’t have to be this way, sisters and brothers. 11 Can both sweet and bitter water come from the same well? 12 My sisters and brothers, fig trees cannot produce olives, vines cannot produce figs, and salt water cannot produce fresh water.
Wisdom expressed as good behavior
13 Is anyone among you wise and knowledgeable? Then they should demonstrate it with good behavior and gentle wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and factions and bragging, you deny the truth. 15 That sort of “wisdom” comes not from above but from the earth, the soul, the demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and factions, there is also upheaval and every foul practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, moderate, reasonable, full of compassion and good results, unbiased, and does not use a double standard. 18 Those who plant peace will pick the fruit of righteousness.