James 3:1-8 ▼

1 Let not many become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive greater judgment.

2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in word, this one is a perfect man, able to bridle even the whole body.

3 Now if we put bits into the mouths of the horses for them to obey us, we turn about even their whole body.

4 Behold also the ships, being so great and being driven by strong winds, are turned about by a very small rudder where the impulse of the one steering intends.

5 So also the tongue is a small member, and it boasts great things. Behold what size a fire, what size a forest it kindles.

6 And the tongue is a fire, the world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, and setting aflame the course of nature, and itself being set aflame by Gehenna.

7 For every nature both of beasts and of birds, both of creeping things and things of the sea, is subdued and has been subdued by the human race,

8 but no one of men is able to subdue the tongue; it is an unstable evil, full of deadly poison.