James 3:1-10 ▼

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

2 For we all fail in many things; if any one fails not in word, the same is a perfect man, able even to bridle the whole body.

3 But if we put bridles into the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us; and we manage their whole body;

4 behold also the ships, being so great, and driven by fierce winds, are managed by the smallest rudder, whithersoever the will of the steersman prefers;

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

6 The tongue, a fire, the world of iniquity: the tongue sits down in the midst of our members, and corrupting the whole body, and setting on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire from hell.

7 For every nature both of wild beasts, and of birds, and of creeping things, and of oceanic animals, is subdued, and has been subjugated to human nature:

8 but no one of men is able to tame the tongue; an incorrigible evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With it we bless the Lord, even the Father; and with it we scold the people, who have been made after the image of God:

10 out of the same mouth come forth blessing and scolding. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.