11Let not many of you becometeachers, 2my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricterjudgment.
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For we all3stumble in many ways. 4Ifanyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a 5perfectman, able to 6bridle the wholebody as well.
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Now7if we put the bits into the horses'mouthsso that they will obey us, we direct their entirebody as well.
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Look at the shipsalso, though they are sogreat and are driven by strongwinds, are still directed by a verysmallrudderwherever the inclination of the pilotdesires.
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Soalso the tongue is a smallpart of the body, and yet it 8boasts of greatthings. 9Seehowgreat a forest is setaflame by such a smallfire!
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And 10the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is setamong our members as that which 11defiles the entirebody, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by 12hell.
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For everyspecies of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the humanrace.
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But noone*cantame the tongue; it is a restlessevil and full of 13deadlypoison.
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With it we bless14our Lord and Father, and with it we cursemen, 15who have beenmade in the likeness of God;
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from the samemouthcome both blessing and cursing. My brethren, thesethingsought not to be thisway.
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Does a fountainsend out from the sameopening both fresh and bitter water?
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16Can a figtree, my brethren, produceolives, or a vineproducefigs? Nor can saltwaterproducefresh.
Wisdom from Above
13Whoamong you is wise and understanding? 17Let him show by his 18goodbehavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
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But if you havebitter19jealousy and selfishambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lieagainst20the truth.
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Thiswisdom is not that which comesdown21from above, but is 22earthly, 23natural, 24demonic.
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For where25jealousy and selfishambition exist, there is disorder and everyevilthing.
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But the wisdom26from above is first27pure, then28peaceable, 29gentle, reasonable, 30full of mercy and goodfruits, 31unwavering, without32hypocrisy.
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And the 33seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who makepeace.