James 3
Not many should become teachers, as they will receive a stricter judgment, for we all offend in many ways. The tongue, though small, has great power to both bless and curse, and no one can fully control it. A person's words can either bring life or destruction, and it is contradictory for the same mouth to produce both blessings and curses. True wisdom from above is characterized by peace, meekness, and mercy, and those who possess it will sow the fruit of justice in peace.
My brothers, not many of you should choose to become teachers, knowing that you shall receive a stricter judgmentFor we all offend in many ways. If anyone does not offend in word, he is a perfect man. And he is then able, as if with a bridle, to lead the whole body aroundFor so we put bridles into the mouths of horses, in order to submit them to our will, and so we turn their whole body aroundConsider also the ships, which, though they are great and may be driven by strong winds, yet they are turned around with a small rudder, to be directed to wherever the strength of the pilot might willSo also the tongue certainly is a small part, but it moves great things. Consider that a small fire can set ablaze a great forestAnd so the tongue is like a fire, comprising all iniquity. The tongue, stationed in the midst of our body, can defile the entire body and inflame the wheel of our nativity, setting a fire from HellFor the nature of all beasts and birds and serpents and others is ruled over, and has been ruled over, by human natureBut no man is able to rule over the tongue, a restless evil, full of deadly poisonBy it we bless God the Father, and by it we speak evil of men, who have been made in the likeness of GodFrom the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be soDoes a fountain emit, out of the same opening, both sweet and bitter waterMy brothers, can the fig tree yield grapes? Or the vine, figs? Then neither is salt water able to produce fresh waterWho is wise and well-taught among you? Let him show, by means of good conversation, his work in the meekness of wisdomBut if you hold a bitter zeal, and if there is contention in your hearts, then do not boast and do not be liars against the truthFor this is not wisdom, descending from above, but rather it is earthly, beastly, and diabolicalFor wherever envy and contention is, there too is inconstancy and every depraved workBut within the wisdom that is from above, certainly, chastity is first, and next peacefulness, meekness, openness, consenting to what is good, a plenitude of mercy and good fruits, not judging, without falsenessAnd so the fruit of justice is sown in peace by those who make peace
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