²⁶ If anyone thinks himself to be religious, yet does not ^[a](A)bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless.

⁵ So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it ^(A)boasts of great things.

^(B)See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! ⁶ And ^(C)the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among ^[a]our body’s parts as that which ^(D)defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our ^[b]life, and is set on fire by ^[c](E)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 among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of ^(F)deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless ^(G)our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, ^(H)who have been made in the likeness of God;

²⁹ Let no ^[a](A)unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for ^(B)edification ^[b]according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear.