James 3:1-12 - Restraining The Tongue

¹ My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we who are such shall pass a stricter trial than others: for in many things we all offend; ² and if any offend not in word, he is a compleat man, able to manage also the whole body.

³ Behold we put bridles into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body as we please. ⁴ Behold also the ships which are of so great bulk, and even when they are driven by hard winds, yet are turned about by a very small helm which way soever the pilot pleaseth. ⁵ So the tongue is a small part of the body, yet boasteth great things. Behold how much fuel a little fire kindleth! ⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our several parts, defiling the whole body, inflaming the course of nature, and is set on fire by hell.

⁷ For every kind of wild beasts, and birds, and reptiles, and fishes, is tamed and hath been tamed by mankind: ⁸ but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless God even the Father; and with it we curse men, who are made after the likeness of God: ¹⁰ out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not so to be. ¹¹ Does a fountain from the same opening send forth sweet water and bitter? ¹² Can a fig-tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine figs? so can no fountain produce salt water and sweet.