The Hurtful Tongue
(James 3:1–12)

1To the overseer; chanting to David. Hear, O God, my voice in my complaint: thou wilt guard my life from the fear of the enemy.

2Thou wilt cover me from the consultation of evil ones; from the crowd of the workers of vanity:

3Who sharpened as a sword their tongue, they bent their arrows a bitter word:

4To shoot down the blameless one in secret things: suddenly they will shoot, and they will not be afraid.

5They will strengthen to themselves an evil word: they will recount to hide snares; they said, Who shall see them.

6They will search out iniquities; they completed a search searched out: and a man drew near, and a deep heart.

7God shall be exalted; their blows were the arrow of the simple.

8And they will cause their tongue to falter upon themselves: all looking upon them shall be moved.

9And all men shall fear, and they shall announce the work of God: and they shall look at his doing.

10The just one shall rejoice in Jehovah, and he put his trust in him; and all the upright of heart shall glory.