Taming the Tongue (Psalm 64:1–10)
1 RV Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier 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 RV For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. 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 RV Now if we put the horses’ bridles into their mouths, that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also. BSB BSB: When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.
4 RV Behold, the ships also, though they are so great, and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth. 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 RV So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire! 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 RV And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is 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 RV For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath 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 RV but the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison. BSB BSB: but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 RV Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after 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 RV out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. BSB BSB: Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!
11 RV Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet water and bitter? BSB BSB: Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
12 RV Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? neither can salt water yield sweet. 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 RV Who is wise and understanding among you? let him shew by his good life his works in meekness 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 RV But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not 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 RV This wisdom is not a wisdom that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. BSB BSB: Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 RV For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed. BSB BSB: For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
17 RV But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy. 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 RV And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that 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.