| Chapter 3 |
1 |
Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. --
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2 |
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. --
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3 |
Indeed, we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body. --
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4 |
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. --
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5 |
So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire! --
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6 |
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. --
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7 |
For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind. --
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8 |
But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. --
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9 |
With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God. --
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10 |
Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. --
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11 |
Does a spring send forth from the same opening fresh and bitter water? --
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12 |
Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water. --
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13 |
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show his deeds done in gentleness of wisdom by his good life. --
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14 |
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth. --
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15 |
This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. --
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16 |
For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. --
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17 |
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. --
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18 |
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. --
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