Study Desk

^(a)Let not many of you become teachers, ^(b)my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a ^[a]stricter judgment.

For we all ^(c)stumble in many ways. ^(d)If anyone does not stumble in ^[b]what he says, he is a ^(e)perfect man, able to ^(f)bridle the whole body as well.

Now ^(g)if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.

Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.

So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it ^(h)boasts of great things. ⁽ⁱ⁾See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!

And ^(j)the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which ^(k)defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our ^[c]life, and is set on fire by ^[d](l)hell.

For every ^[e]species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human ^[f]race.

But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of ^(m)deadly poison.

With it we bless ⁽ⁿ⁾our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, ^(o)who have been made in the likeness of God;