7 People have controlled all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea. They still control them.
8 But no one can control the tongue. It is an evil thing that never rests. It is full of deadly poison.
9 With our tongues we praise our Lord and Father. With our tongues we call down curses on people. We do it even though they have been created to be like God.
10 Praise and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, it shouldn't be that way.
11 Can fresh water and salt water flow out of the same spring?
12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives? Can a grapevine bear figs? Of course not. And a saltwater spring can't produce fresh water either.
13 Are any of you wise and understanding? You should show it by living a good life. Wise people aren't proud when they do good works.