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.
3
Indeed, we put bits into the horses` mouths so that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body.
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.
5
So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!
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.
7
For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind.
8
But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9
With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God.
10
Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
11
Does a spring send forth from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
12
Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.