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.
8. But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9. With it we bless our Adonai and Father, and with it we curse people, who are made in the image of God.