February 18, 2012, Reading

3:1	My brothers, not many of you should choose to become teachers, knowing that you shall receive a stricter judgment.
3:2	For we all offend in many ways. If anyone does not offend in word, he is a perfect man. And he is then able, as if with a bridle, to lead the whole body around.
3:3	For so we put bridles into the mouths of horses, in order to submit them to our will, and so we turn their whole body around.
3:4	Consider also the ships, which, though they are great and may be driven by strong winds, yet they are turned around with a small rudder, to be directed to wherever the strength of the pilot might will.
3:5	So also the tongue certainly is a small part, but it moves great things. Consider that a small fire can set ablaze a great forest.
3:6	And so the tongue is like a fire, comprising all iniquity. The tongue, stationed in the midst of our body, can defile the entire body and inflame the wheel of our nativity, setting a fire from Hell.
3:7	For the nature of all beasts and birds and serpents and others is ruled over, and has been ruled over, by human nature.
3:8	But no man is able to rule over the tongue, a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
3:9	By it we bless God the Father, and by it we speak evil of men, who have been made in the likeness of God.
3:10	From the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so!

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