James
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters,
as you know that we teachers will receive a stricter judgment.
For we all stumble
in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect
person, able to control the whole body as well.
When we put bits into
horses’ mouths so that they obey us, we guide the whole animal.
And huge ships are driven
by strong winds, but are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot
chooses.
In the same way, the tongue, though a small part of the body, boasts
of great things. Think about what a large forest a small fire can set ablaze.
And the tongue is like a fire; it is a world of evil among the parts of our
bodies. It corrupts the whole body, setting on fire the course of our life, and it is set on fire by Gehenna.
All kinds of creatures, animals or birds, reptiles or fish, have been tamed by human
beings,
but no human being can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable, venomous
evil.
With our tongues we bless the Lord and Father, and with our tongues we curse our
fellow human beings who are made in the image of God.
Out of the same mouth come
both blessing and cursing. It ought not to be this way, my brothers and sisters.
Do both sweet and bitter water flow from the same spring?
Can a fig tree
produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a grapevine produce figs? No, neither can salt
water make fresh water.
Who among you is wise and understanding? Show your
works from your good conduct in the humility of wisdom.
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual and demonic.
For wherever there is jealousy and selfishness, there will be disorder and every kind of evil.
But the wisdom which comes from above is
first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, cooperative, full of mercy and good
fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy.
And the fruit of uprightness is planted
in peace by those who make peace.
James