Taming the Tongue (Psalm 64:1–10)
1 ULT Do not become many teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive greater judgment. BSB BSB: Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2 ULT For we all stumble much. If anyone does not stumble in word, he{ is} a perfect man, able to bridle even the 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 ULT Now if we put the bits into the mouths of the horses for them to obey us, we also turn their whole body. BSB BSB: When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.
4 ULT Behold also the ships, being so large and driven by strong winds, it is turned by the smallest rudder where the inclination of the one steering 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 ULT Thus also the tongue is a small member, but it boasts great things. Behold how small a fire kindles so large a 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 ULT The tongue{ represents} also a fire, the world of unrighteousness. The tongue is placed among our members, the thing staining the whole body and setting the course of existence on fire, and it is set on fire by Gehenna. 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 ULT For every kind, both of beasts and birds, both of reptiles and marine animals, is being tamed and has been tamed by the human kind. BSB BSB: All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,
8 ULT But no one of men is able to tame the tongue, an unsettled evil, full of deadly poison. BSB BSB: but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 ULT With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse the men, the ones having come into being according to the likeness of God. 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 ULT Out from the same mouth come blessing and cursing. It is not fitting, my brothers,{ for} these things to happen thus. BSB BSB: Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!
11 ULT The spring does not gush the sweet and the bitter from the same opening, does it? BSB BSB: Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
12 ULT A fig tree is not able to make olives, is it, my brothers, or a grapevine, figs? Nor salty to make 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 ULT Who{ is} wise and understanding among you? Let him show his works from his good conduct in 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 ULT 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 ULT This is not the wisdom coming down from above, but{ it is} earthly, soulish, demonic. BSB BSB: Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 ULT For where{ there is} jealousy and ambition, there{ is} unsettledness and every wicked deed. BSB BSB: For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
17 ULT But the wisdom from above first indeed is pure, then peaceable, gentle, cooperative, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, 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 ULT And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those making 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.