6. And the tongue is like a fire. It is a whole world of evil among the parts of our bodies. The tongue spreads its evil through the whole body. It starts a fire that influences all of life. The tongue gets this fire from hell.
7. People can tame every kind of wild animal, bird, reptile, and fish, and they have tamed them.
8. But no one can tame the tongue. It is wild and evil. It is full of poison that can kill.
9. We use our tongues to praise our Lord and Father, but then we curse people. And God made them like himself.
10. Praises and curses come from the same mouth! My brothers, this should not happen.
11. Do good and bad water flow from the same spring?
12. My brothers, can a fig tree make olives? Can a grapevine make figs? No! And a well full of salty water cannot give good water.
13. Is there anyone among you who is truly wise and understanding? Then he should show his wisdom by living right. He should do good things without being proud. A wise person does not brag.
14. But if you are selfish and have bitter jealousy in your hearts, you have no reason to brag. Your bragging is a lie that hides the truth.
15. That kind of “wisdom” does not come from God. That “wisdom” comes from the world. It is not spiritual. It is from the devil.
16. Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there will be confusion and every kind of evil.