The Untamable Tongue

My brethren, (A)let not many of you become teachers, (B)knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For (C)we all stumble in many things. (D)If anyone does not stumble in word, (E)he is a [a]perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. [b]Indeed, (F)we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so (G)the tongue is a little member and (H)boasts great things.

See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And (I)the tongue is a fire, a world of [c]iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it (J)defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of [d]nature; and it is set on fire by [e]hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, (K)full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made (L)in the [f]similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

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Footnotes

  1. James 3:2 mature
  2. James 3:3 NU Now if
  3. James 3:6 unrighteousness
  4. James 3:6 existence
  5. James 3:6 Gr. Gehenna
  6. James 3:9 likeness

Taming the Tongue

Not many of you should become teachers,(A) my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged(B) more strictly.(C) We all stumble(D) in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say(E) is perfect,(F) able to keep their whole body in check.(G)

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.(H) 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.(I) Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire,(J) a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body,(K) sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.(L)

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.(M)

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

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25 (A)And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not (B)ashamed.

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25 Adam and his wife were both naked,(A) and they felt no shame.

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16 You shall not go about as a (A)talebearer among your people; nor shall you (B)take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.

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16 “‘Do not go about spreading slander(A) among your people.

“‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life.(B) I am the Lord.

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27 [a]An ungodly man digs up evil,
And it is on his lips like a burning (A)fire.
28 A perverse man sows strife,
And (B)a whisperer separates the best of friends.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:27 Lit. A man of Belial

27 A scoundrel(A) plots evil,
    and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.(B)

28 A perverse person stirs up conflict,(C)
    and a gossip separates close friends.(D)

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32 Anyone who (A)speaks a word against the Son of Man, (B)it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

A Tree Known by Its Fruit(C)

33 “Either make the tree good and (D)its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. 34 (E)Brood[a] of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? (F)For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure [b]of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 12:34 Offspring
  2. Matthew 12:35 NU, M omit of his heart

32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age(A) or in the age to come.(B)

33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.(C) 34 You brood of vipers,(D) how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks(E) what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”(F)

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(A)Walk in (B)wisdom toward those who are outside, (C)redeeming the time. Let your speech always be (D)with grace, (E)seasoned with salt, (F)that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

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Be wise(A) in the way you act toward outsiders;(B) make the most of every opportunity.(C) Let your conversation be always full of grace,(D) seasoned with salt,(E) so that you may know how to answer everyone.(F)

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