James 3 (NMV)
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2 For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what they say, they are a perfect person, able to control their whole body as well.
3 Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.
4 Look at ships also: though they are so large and driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
5 In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how a small spark sets a great forest on fire.
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is placed among our body parts and corrupts the whole body, setting the course of life on fire, and it is set on fire by hell itself.
7 Every kind of animal, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures, is being tamed and has been tamed by humankind.
8 But no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God's image.
10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be so.
11 Does a spring pour out both fresh water and bitter water from the same opening?
12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt spring yield fresh water.
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.
16 For where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.