3:1 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment.
3:2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body.
3:3 Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we direct their whole bodies.
3:4 And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
3:5 So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest.
3:6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
3:7 Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish is tamed and has been tamed by humankind,
3:8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
3:9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness.
3:10 Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.
3:11 Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening?
3:12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.
3:13 Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.
3:14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth.
3:15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
3:16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.
3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.
3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
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