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1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
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2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
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3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
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4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
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5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
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6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
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7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
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8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
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9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
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10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
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11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
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12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
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13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
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14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
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15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
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16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
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17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
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18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
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- 1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.
- 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.
- 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.
- 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.
- 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
- 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.
- 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.
- 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
- 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;
- 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
- 11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?
- 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.
- 13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
- 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.
- 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.
- 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
- 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
- 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
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