Taming the Tongue (Psalm 64:1–10)
1 UEB Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. BSB BSB: Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2 UEB For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in words, he is a perfect man, able to control even his whole body. BSB BSB: We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.
3 UEB Now if we put bits into horses' mouths for them to obey us, we can also direct their whole bodies. BSB BSB: When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.
4 UEB Notice also that ships, although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, are steered by a very small rudder to wherever the pilot desires. BSB BSB: Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined.
5 UEB Likewise the tongue is a small body part, yet it boasts great things. Notice also how small a fire sets on fire a large forest. BSB BSB: In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.
6 UEB The tongue is also a fire, a world of sinfulness set among our body parts. It stains the whole body and sets on fire the course of life. It is itself set on fire by hell. BSB BSB: The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 UEB For every kind of wild animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is being tamed and has been tamed by mankind. BSB BSB: All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,
8 UEB But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. BSB BSB: but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 UEB With it we praise the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. BSB BSB: With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.
10 UEB Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not happen. BSB BSB: Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!
11 UEB Does a spring pour out from its opening both sweet and bitter water? BSB BSB: Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
12 UEB Does a fig tree, my brothers, make olives? Or a grapevine, figs? Neither can salty water produce sweet water. BSB BSB: My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
The Wisdom from Above 13 UEB Who is wise and understanding among you? Let that person show a good life by his works in the humility of wisdom. BSB BSB: Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
14 UEB But if you have bitter jealousy and ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth. BSB BSB: But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.
15 UEB This is not the wisdom that comes down from above. Instead, it is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. BSB BSB: Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 UEB For where there are jealousy and ambition, there is confusion and every evil practice. BSB BSB: For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
17 UEB But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. BSB BSB: But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
18 UEB The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace among those who make peace. BSB BSB: Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.