3:1 Don’t be eager to be teachers, my sisters and brothers, because we who teach will be judged according to a higher standard.

3:2 We all trip up a lot, but if you don’t trip up in your words you are mature and self-controlled.

3:3 Now we put bridles on horses to make them go where we lead,

3:4 and we control huge ships with a tiny rudder operated according to the will of the one at the helm.

3:5 In the same way, the tongue is small and proud, but look at what a huge fire it can start! And a fire it is, a world of injustice.

3:6 The tongue is situated to lead the whole body and ignite it all, and is itself ignited by the eternal fire.

3:7 But though people have tamed everything in nature— the wild animals and birds and reptiles, and even sea creatures—

3:8 no one can tame the tongue. It is an evil, poisonous fang.

3:9 We use it to bless the Master and Father, yet also to curse people who were made in the likeness of God.

3:10 Out of the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. Things don’t have to be this way, sisters and brothers.

3:11 Can both sweet and bitter water come from the same well?

3:12 My sisters and brothers, fig trees cannot produce olives, vines cannot produce figs, and salt water cannot produce fresh water.

3:13 Is anyone among you wise and knowledgeable? Then they should demonstrate it with good behavior and gentle wisdom.

3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and factions and bragging, you deny the truth.

3:15 That sort of “wisdom” comes not from above but from the earth, the soul, the demonic.

3:16 For wherever there is jealousy and factions, there is also upheaval and every foul practice.

3:17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, moderate, reasonable, full of compassion and good results, unbiased, and does not use a double standard.

3:18 Those who plant peace will pick the fruit of justice.