Taming the Tongue
(Psalm 64:1–10)

1Be ye not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive the greater judgment. 2For in many things we all stumble. If any stumble not in word, this a perfect man, able to govern by a bridle also the whole body. 3Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they should yield to us; and we lead their whole body. 4Behold also ships, being so great, and driven by hard winds, are led by the smallest rudder, wherever the desire of him steering should will. 5So also the tongue is a small member, and vaunts itself. Behold, how great a wood a little fire inflames. 6(And the tongue a fire, a world of iniquity: so the tongue is placed in our members, defiling the whole body, and burning the wheel of creation; and burned by hell. 7For every nature of beasts, and also of birds, of creeping things, and also of things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the nature of man: 8And the tongue none of men can tame; an ungovernable evil, full of deadly poison. 9With it we praise the God and Father; and with it we curse men, those made according to the similitude of God. 10Out of the same month comes forth blessing and cursing. There is no need, my brethren, for these things so to be. 11Much less from the same aperture does a fountain bubble out sweet and bitter? 12The fig tree, my brethren, cannot make olives, or the vine, figs: so no fountain can make salt and sweet water.

The Wisdom from Above

13Who wise and knowing among you? let him show out of a good mode of life his works in meekness of wisdom. 14And if ye have bitter envy and intrigue in your heart, boast not, and lie not against the truth. 15This is wisdom coming not down from above, but earthly, natural, resembling an evil spirit. 16For where envy and intrigue, there confusion and every bad deed. 17And the wisdom from above is truly first pure, then peaceful, decorous, docile, full of mercy and good fruits, not separated, and unfeigned. 18And the fruit of justice is sown in peace by those making peace.