We all stumble(A) in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say(B) is perfect,(C) able to keep their whole body in check.(D)

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.(E) Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.(F) Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire,(G) a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body,(H) sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.(I)

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.(J)

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.(K) 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

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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 [b](D)rein in the whole body as well. Now (E)if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their whole body as well. Look at the ships too: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are nevertheless directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot determines. 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! And (H)the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among [c]our body’s parts as that which (I)defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our [d]life, and is set on fire by [e](J)hell. For every [f]species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human [g]race. But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of (K)deadly poison. With it we bless (L)our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, (M)who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.

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Footnotes

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

Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.

But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.[a]

People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!

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Footnotes

  1. 3:6 Or for it will burn in hell (Greek Gehenna).