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And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies.[a] Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs. So too the tongue is a small part of the body,[b] yet it has great pretensions.[c] Think[d] how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze.

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Footnotes

  1. James 3:3 tn Grk “their entire body.”
  2. James 3:5 tn Grk “a small member.”
  3. James 3:5 tn Grk “boasts of great things.”
  4. James 3:5 tn Grk “Behold.”

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.(A) 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.(B) Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

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