Taming the Tongue
(Psalm 64:1–10)

1My brethren, be not manie maisters, knowyng howe that we shall receaue the greater damnation: 2For in many thynges we sinne all. If a man sinne not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle all the body. 3Beholde, we put bittes in the horses mouthes, that they may obey vs, and we turne about all the body of them: 4Beholde also ye shippes, which though they be so great, and are dryuen of fierce windes, yet are they turned about with a very small helme, whither soeuer the violence of the gouernour wyll. 5Euen so the tongue is a litle member also, & boasteth great thynges. Beholde how great a matter a litle fire kindleth. 6And the tongue is fyre, euen a worlde of wickednesse. So is the tongue set among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fyre the course of nature, & it is set on fyre of hell. 7All the natures of beastes, & of byrdes, and of serpentes, and thynges of the sea, are meeked and tamed of the nature of man: 8But the tongue can no man tame, it is an vnruly euyll, full of deadly poyson. 9Therwith blesse we God the father: and therwith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10Out of one mouth proceadeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these thynges ought not so to be. 11Doth a fountayne sende foorth at one place, sweete water, and bitter also? 12Can the fygge tree, my brethren, beare oliue beries? either a vine beare figges? So can no fountayne geue both salt water and freshe also.

The Wisdom from Above

13Who is a wise man, and endued with knoweledge among you? let him shewe his workes out of good conuersation with mekenesse of wisdome. 14But yf ye haue bitter enuiyng & strife in your hearte, glorie not, neither be lyers agaynst the trueth. 15For such wisdome descendeth not fro aboue: but is earthlie, sensuall, and deuelishe. 16For where enuiyng and strife is, there is sedition & all maner of euyll workes. 17But the wisdome that is from aboue, is first pure, then peaseable, gentle, and easie to be entreated, full of mercie and good fruites, without iudgyng, without simulation: 18Yea, and the fruite of ryghteousnes is sowen in peace, of the that make peace.