1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, since you know that we will receive a stricter judgment.
2 For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.
3 And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole body as well.
4 See also the ships—though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
5 So also the tongue is a small member—yet it boasts of great things. See how so small a fire sets a blaze so great a forest!
6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is a world of evil placed among our body parts. It pollutes the whole body and sets on fire the course of life—and is set on fire by Gehenna.
7 For every species of beasts and birds, reptiles and sea creatures, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.