Restraining the Tongue

¹ Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you¹ know that we will receive a greater judgment.²

1. *Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“know”) which is understood as causal
2. Or “greater condemnation”

² For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual,¹ able to hold in check his whole body also.

1. Literally “man,” but clearly in a generic sense here meaning “someone, a person”

³ And if we put bits in the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we also guide their whole bodies.

⁴ Behold also ships: although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot wishes.

⁵ So also the tongue is a small member of the body¹ and boasts great things. Behold how small a fire sets ablaze how great a forest!

1. *The words “of the body” are not in the Greek text but are supplied for clarity

⁶ And the tongue is a fire! The world of unrighteousness,¹ the tongue, is set among our members, defiling the whole body and setting on fire ⌞the course of human existence⌟², being set on fire by hell.

1. Or “a fire, the world of unrighteousness! The tongue is set among our members”
2. Literally “the wheel of origin”

⁷ For every species of animals and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, is being tamed and has been tamed by the human species,

⁸ but no human being is able to tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹ With it we bless the¹ Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.

1. *Or possibly “our,” if the Greek article is understood as a possessive pronoun

¹⁰ From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so!

¹¹ A spring does not pour forth from the same opening fresh and bitter water, does it?¹

1. *The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here

¹² A fig tree is not able, my brothers, to produce olives, or a grapevine figs. Neither can a saltwater spring produce fresh water.

The Wisdom That Comes Down from Above

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his¹ good behavior his works, with the humility of wisdom.

1. *Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun

¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth.

¹⁵ This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

¹⁶ For where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, obedient, full of mercy and good fruits, nonjudgmental, without hypocrisy,

¹⁸ And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace among¹ those who make peace.

1. Or “for”; or possibly “by”