General LettersNew Testament
Chapter 3· Book XX of 27
1Verse 1. Open verse actions.Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. 2Verse 2. Open verse actions.For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn’t stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. 3Verse 3. Open verse actions.Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body. 4Verse 4. Open verse actions.Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires. 5Verse 5. Open verse actions.So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest! 6Verse 6. Open verse actions.And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna. 7Verse 7. Open verse actions.For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind; 8Verse 8. Open verse actions.but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9Verse 9. Open verse actions.With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God. 10Verse 10. Open verse actions.Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11Verse 11. Open verse actions.Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water? 12Verse 12. Open verse actions.Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water. 13Verse 13. Open verse actions.Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. 14Verse 14. Open verse actions.But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth. 15Verse 15. Open verse actions.This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. 16Verse 16. Open verse actions.For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. 17Verse 17. Open verse actions.But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18Verse 18. Open verse actions.Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.