Taming
The Tongue
Not
many of you should presume to be Teachers, my brothers,
Because
you k now that we who Teach will be Judged more Strictly.
2
WE ALL STUMBLE IN MANY WAYS.
If
anyone is never at fault in what he says,
He
is a Prefect man,
Able
to keep his whole body in check.
3
When we put bits into the mouths of horses
To
make them obey us,
We
can turn the whole animal.
4
Or take ships as an example.
Although
they are so large and are driven by strong winds,
They
are steered by a very small rudder
Wherever
the pilot wants to go.
5
Like wise the Tongue is a small part of the body,
But
it makes great boasts.
CONSIDER
WHAT A GREAT FOREST
IS
SET ON FIRE BY A SMALL SPARK.
6
THE TONGUE ALSO IS A FIRE,
A
WORLD OF EVIL AMONG THE PARTS OF THE BODY.
IT
CORRUPTS THE WHOLE PERSON,
SETS
THE WHOLE COURSE OF HIS LIFE ON FIRE,
AND
IS ITSELF SET ON FIRE BY HELL.
7
All kinds of animals, birds reptiles and creatures of the sea
Are
being tamed and have been tamed by man,
8
BUT NO MAN CAN TAME THE TONGUE.
IT
IS A RESTLESS EVIL, FULL OF DEADLY POISON.
9
With the tongue we Praise our Lord and Father,
And
with it we Curse men,
Who
have been made in God's likeness.
10
OUT OF THE MOUTH COME PRAISE AND CURSING.
MY
BROTHERS, THIS SHOULD NOT BE.
11
CAN FRESH WATER AND SALT WATER
FLOW
FROM THE SAME SPRING?
12
My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives,
Or
a grapevine bear figs?
NEITHER
CAN A SALT SPRING PRODUCE FRESH WATER.
Two
Kinds Of Wisdom
13
Who is wise and understanding among you?
LET
HIM SHOW IT BY HIS GOOD LIFE,
BY
DEEDS DONE IN HUMILITY
THAT
COMES FROM WISDOM.
14
But if you harbor Bitter Envy and Selfish Ambition in your hearts,
Do
not boast about it or deny the truth.
15
SUCH WISDOM DOES NOT COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN
BUT
IS EARTHLY, UNSPIRITUAL, OF THE DEVIL.
16
FOR WHERE YOU HAVE ENVY AND SELFISH AMBITION,
THERE
YOU FIND DISORDER AND EVERY EVIL PRACTICE.
17
BUT THE WISDOM THAT COMES FROM HEAVEN
IS
FIRST OF ALL PURE;
THEN
PEACE LOVING, CONSIDERATE, SUBMISSIVE,
FULL
OF MERCY AND GOOD FRUIT,
IMPARTIAL
AND SINCERE.
18
PEACEMAKERS WHO SOW IN PEACE
RAISE
A HARVEST OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
(James
3)
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