OET-RV YAC Chapter 3

3 My brothers and sisters, not everyone should desire to be a teacher because we know that us teachers will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If there was someone who never said anything wrong, this person would be perfect and also able to have self-control over their entire body. 3 With horses, we can put the bridle in it’s mouth so we can make them do what we want, and so we can direct the whole animal. 4 Similarly, even huge ships that are being driven on by strong winds are controlled by a small rudder and can be steered wherever the captain desires. 5 So too the tongue is only small but can make extensive claims.

Yes, a tiny flame can ignite an entire forest 6 and the tongue is a fire producing a torrent of depravity. It’s a part of our physical body but capable of staining us all over and setting our worlds on fire, because the tongue itself is set on fire from hell. 7 Every kind of wild animal and birds and reptiles and sea creature can be tamed and has been tamed by humankind 8 but no one is able to tame the tongue—it’s an erratically evil body part that’s full of deadly poison. 9 We use it to bless our master and father, yet we use it to curse our fellow humans who are made in God’s image.[ref] 10 Both blessings and curses come out of the same mouth! My brothers and sisters, it shouldn’t be like that. 11 Surely a spring flowing out of a single cavity can’t produce both good-tasting and bitter water. 12 A fig tree can’t produce olives and a grape vine can’t produce figs, my brothers and sisters, just like a salty supply can’t give fresh water.

13 Any of you that are wise and understanding should demonstrate their good deeds and wisdom by their godly living. 14 But if you are full of bitter jealousy or selfish ambition, don’t be boasting or denying the truth 15 because none of that came down to you from heaven, but on the contrary it’s earthly and soulish and demonic. 16 Wherever you find jealousy and selfish ambition, you’ll also find disharmony and all kinds of evil. 17 In contrast, the wisdom that comes from God is pure, peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good behaviour, unceasing, and not hypocritical. 18 Those who desire peace sow the seeds that will produce godly behaviour.