November 9

1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth.

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it desbleth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father;

and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

13 Was it a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation: his works with meekness of wisdom.

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not and be not against the truth.

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

"Give not thy tongue too great a liberty, lest it take thee prisoner. A word unspoken is, like the sword in the scabbard, thine; if vented, thy sword is in another's hand. If thou desire to be held wise, be so wise as to hold thy tongue."—Quarles.

"With meekness and wisdom" (ver. 13). It is only by having patience with men that you can retain any hold upon them.

"The same measure of trouble being laid upon two men, is far lighter to him that bears it with patience. Of how pure wood soever an instrument is made, yet if it warp with the sun, or crack with the weather, we dislike it. Let us not lose our credit of the holiness by the least murmur of impatience."—Adams.

"Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work" (ver. 16). "Envy is the reverse of charity; and as that is the supreme source of pleasure, so this is of pain."

Fuller's prayer against envy was beautiful:

"Dispossess me, O Lord, of this bad spirit, and turn my envy into holy emulation. Let me labor to exceed those in pains, who exceed me in parts; let me feed and foster, and nourish and cherish, graces in others; honoring their persons, praising their gifts, and glorifying Thy name, who hath given such gifts to them."

Closet Promise.—Thou understandest my thought afar off.—Psalm CXXXIX. 2.

Lord, our God, great, eternal, wonderful in glory, Who keepest covenant and promises for those that love Thee with their whole heart, Who art the Life of all, the Help of those that flee unto Thee, the Hope of those who cry unto Thee, cleanse us from our sins, secret and open; and from every thought displeasing to Thy goodness,—cleanse our bodies and souls, our hearts and consciences, that with a pure heart, and a clear soul, with perfect love and calm hope, we may venture confidently and fearlessly to pray unto Thee. Amen.—Coptic Liturgy of St. Basil.