James 3:1-10 ▼

1 Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive greater judgment.

2 For we all often offend. If any one offend not in word, he [is] a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body too.

3 Behold, we put the bits in the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us, and we turn round their whole bodies.

4 Behold also the ships, which are so great, and driven by violent winds, are turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the pleasure of the helmsman will.

5 Thus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wood it kindles!

6 and the tongue [is] fire, the world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set in our members, the defiler of the whole body, and which sets fire to the course of nature, and is set on fire of hell.

7 For every species both of beasts and of birds, both of creeping things and of sea animals, is tamed and has been tamed by the human species;

8 but the tongue can no one among men tame; [it is] an unsettled evil, full of death-bringing poison.

9 Therewith bless we the Lord and Father, and therewith curse we men made after [the] likeness of God.

10 Out of the same mouth goes forth blessing and cursing. It is not right, my brethren, that these things should be thus.