1We must not rashly take upon ourselves to reprove others. 2The importance, difficulty, and duty, of governing the tongue. 13True wisdom will shew itself in meekness, peaceableness, and charity, in opposition to strife and envying.
1MY brethren, abe not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater 1condemnation.
1Or, judgment.
a Ec. 7.16. Mat. 7.1,2; 23.8,10,14. Lu. 6.37,38. Ro. 2.1-3,20,21. 2Co. 1.24. 1Pe. 5.3. Pr. 16.18. Lu. 12.47,48. Mat. 11.22,24.
2bFor in many things we offend all. If cany man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
b 1Ki. 8.46. Pr. 20.9. Ec. 7.20. 1Jn. 1.8. Is. 64.6. c Ps. 34.13; 39.1,2. ch. 1.4,19,26. Pr. 13.3; 15.1; 25.8. Mat. 12.36,37. 1Pe. 3.10.
3Behold, dwe put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
d Ps. 32.9. Is. 37.29. Pr. 26.3. Ps. 39.1.
4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and eare driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor *listeth.
*listeth-chooses, pleases.
e Ps. 107.25-27. Jonah 1.4. Ac. 27.14,15,27.
5fEven so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a 2*matter a little fire kindleth!
2Or, wood.
*matter-timber, forest, fuel.
f Ps. 10.3; 12.3,4; 73.8,9. Job 21.14,15. Pr. 12.18; 15.1,2. Re. 13.5,6.
6gAnd 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 3course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
3Gr. wheel.
g ch. 1.26. Pr. 16.27; 15.1; 17.4. Ro. 3.13,14. Ps. 5.9; 64.3; 140.3. Mat. 15.11-20. Mar. 7.15,20-23. v.2. Ec. 7.6.
7For every 4kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of 5mankind:
4Gr. nature.
5Gr. the nature of man.
8But the tongue can no man tame; it his an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
h v.6. Ps. 55.21; 57.4; 59.7; 58.4; 64.3,4; 140.3,4. Ro. 3.13,14. Ec. 10.11.
9iTherewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, jwhich are made after the similitude of God.
i Ps. 145.21. Is. 29.13. j Ge. 1.26,27; 9.6. 1Co. 11.7.
10kOut of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
k Ge. 49.4. 1Ki. 18.21. Is. 48.2,4. Je. 7.4,9,10. Mi. 3.11. Lu. 6.46. Ps. 50.16. v.9.
11Doth a fountain send forth at the same 6place sweet water and bitter?
6Or, hole.
12lCan the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
l Mat. 7.16-18; 12.33. Lu. 6.44. Ga. 5.19-23.
13mWho is a wise man and *endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good n*conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
*endued-endowed.
*conversation-behaviour.
m Ps. 107.43. Ho. 14.9. Mat. 5.16. Ep. 5.8,9,15. Phi. 1.27; 2.15; 4.8. Ro. 12. Col. 3. 1Th. 5. 1Ti. 6.11,12. 2Ti. 2.22-25. Tit. 2.11,12; 3.8,14. ch. 1.21; 2.18. 1Pe. 3.15. n Ga. 1.13.
14But if ye have obitter envying and strife in your hearts, pglory not, and lie not against the truth.
o Ro. 13.13. 2Co. 12.20. Ga. 5.15,20,21,26. p Ro. 2.17-23. 2Ti. 3.5. Je. 7.4,9. ch. 1.21. 1Pe. 2.1,2.
15qThis wisdom descendeth not rfrom above, but is earthly, 7sensual, devilish.
7Or, natural, 1Co. 2.14.
q Je. 4.22. 1Co. 2.7; 3.3. Jude 19. Ga. 5.19,20. Phi. 3.19. Ro. 8.7. r ch. 1.17.
16sFor where envying and strife is , there is 8confusion and every evil work.
8Gr. tumult or unquietness.
s Ga. 5.15,20,21,26. 1Co. 3.3. ch. 4.1.
17tBut the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, ugentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without 9partiality, and without hypocrisy.
9Or, wrangling. ch. 2.4.
t 1Co. 2.6,7. ch. 1.5,17. Mat. 5.7,8. Phi. 4.8. Lu. 6.36. 1Ti. 1.5. Ro. 12.9. 2Co. 6.6. Ga. 5.22; 6.9. 1Th. 4.3,4,9. He. 12.4. ch. 1.19,21,26,27. 1Pe. 1.22; 2.1. ch. 2.1-4. u Phi. 4.5.
18vAnd the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
v Pr. 11.18. Is. 32.17. Ho. 10.12. 2Co. 9.10. Mat. 5.9. Phi. 1.11. He. 12.11.