James 3:2-12
2 For we all (A)stumble in many ways. (B)If anyone does not stumble in (a)what he says, he is a (C)perfect man, able to (D)bridle the whole body as well.
3 Now (E)if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.
4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.
5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it (F)boasts of great things.(G)See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
6 And (H)the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which (I)defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our (b)life, and is set on fire by (c)(J)hell.
7 For every (d)species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human (e)race.
8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of (K)deadly poison.
9 With it we bless (L)our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, (M)who have been made in the likeness of God;
10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both (f)fresh and bitter water?
12 (N)Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce (g)fresh.
Footnotes:
a.
James 3:2: ['Lit ', word]
b.
James 3:6: ['Or ', existence, origin]
c.
James 3:6: ['Gr ', Gehenna]
d.
James 3:7: ['Lit ', nature]
e.
James 3:7: ['Lit ', nature]
f.
James 3:11: ['Lit ', sweet]
g.
James 3:12: ['V 11, note 1']
Cross references:
A.
James 3:2:
James 2:10
D.
James 3:2:
James 1:26
E.
James 3:3:
Psalm 32:9
L.
James 3:9:
James 1:27