1
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Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. |
2
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For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn't stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. |
3
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Indeed, we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body. |
4
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Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires. |
5
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So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire! |
6
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And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna. |
7
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For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind. |
8
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But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. |
9
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With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God. |
10
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Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
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11
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Does a spring send forth from the same opening fresh and bitter water? |
12
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Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water. |
13
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Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show his deeds done in gentleness of wisdom by his good life. |
14
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But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth. |
15
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This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. |
16
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For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. |
17
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But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. |
18
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Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. |