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 a horse, we can put a bridle into its 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.