The Hurtful Tongue
(James 3:1–12)

1Unto the end. A Psalm of David. Hear, O God, my prayer of supplication. Rescue my soul from the fear of the enemy.

2You have protected me from the assembly of the malignant, from a multitude of workers of iniquity.

3For they have sharpened their tongues like a sword; they have formed their bow into a bitter thing,

4so that they may shoot arrows from hiding at the immaculate.

5They will suddenly shoot arrows at him, and they will not be afraid. They are resolute in their wicked talk. They have discussed hidden snares. They have said, “Who will see them?”

6They have been searching carefully for iniquities. Their exhaustive search has failed. Man will approach with a deep heart,

7and God will be exalted. The arrows of the little ones have become their wounds,

8and their tongues have been weakened against them. All those who saw them have been troubled;

9and every man was afraid. And they announced the works of God, and they understood his acts.

10The just will rejoice in the Lord, and they will hope in him. And all the upright of heart will be praised.