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! 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. 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.

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Footnotes

  1. James 3:6 Lit our parts
  2. James 3:6 Or existence, origin
  3. James 3:6 Gr Gehenna
  4. James 3:7 Lit nature
  5. James 3:7 Lit nature

Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.(A) Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire,(B) a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body,(C) sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.(D)

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind,

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