James 3:5-18

5So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it 1boasts of great things.

2See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6And 3the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which 4defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our 5life, and is set on fire by 67hell. 7For every 8species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human 9race. 8But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of 10deadly poison. 9With it we bless 11our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, 12who have been made in the likeness of God; 10from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. 11Does a fountain send out from the same opening both 13fresh and bitter water? 1214Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce 15fresh.

13Who among you is wise and understanding? 16Let him show by his 17good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14But if you have bitter 18jealousy and 19selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against 20the truth. 15This wisdom is not that which comes down 21from above, but is 22earthly, 2324natural, 25demonic. 16For where 26jealousy and 27selfish ambition exist, 28there is disorder and every evil thing. 17But the wisdom 29from above is first 30pure, then 31peaceable, 32gentle, 33reasonable, 34full of mercy and good fruits, 35unwavering, without 36hypocrisy. 18And the 3738seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace 39by those who make peace.