Taming the Tongue (Psalm 64:1–10)
1 WBS My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. BSB BSB: Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2 WBS For in many things we all offend. If any man offendeth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able also to bridle 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 WBS Behold, we put bits in the mouths of horses, that they may obey us; and we turn about 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 WBS Behold also the ships, which though they are so great, and are driven by fierce winds, yet they are turned about with a very small helm, withersoever the governor 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 WBS Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 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 WBS And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire from 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 WBS For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of animals 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 WBS But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. BSB BSB: but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 WBS With this we bless God, even the Father; and with this we curse men, who are made after the similitude 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 WBS Out of the same mouth proceedeth 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 WBS Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? BSB BSB: Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
12 WBS Can the fig-tree, my brethren, bear olive-berries? or a vine, figs? so no fountain can yield both salt water and fresh. 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 WBS Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show by a good deportment his works with 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 WBS But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, 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 WBS This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, demoniacal. BSB BSB: Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 WBS For where envying and strife is , there is confusion and every evil work. BSB BSB: For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
17 WBS But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and 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 WBS And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by 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.