3:1 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing 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 a mature man who is also able to control his whole body.
3:3 Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal.
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 large a forest a small fire ignites.
3:6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell.
3:7 Every sea creature, reptile, bird, or animal is tamed and has been tamed by man,
3:8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
3:9 We praise our Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God's likeness with it.
3:10 Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, 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, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.
3:13 Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom's gentleness.
3:14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't brag and deny the truth.
3:15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
3:16 For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil.
3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy.
3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
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