James 3:1-10

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

3 Be ye not many masters, my brethren, knowing that you receive the greater judgment.

² For in many things we all offend. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man. He is able also with a bridle to lead about the whole body.

³ For if we put bits into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body.

⁴ Behold also ships, whereas they are great, and are driven by strong winds, yet are they turned about with a small helm, whithersoever the force of the governor willeth.

⁵ Even so the tongue is indeed a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how small a fire kindleth a great wood.

⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is placed among our members, which defileth the whole body, and inflameth the wheel of our nativity, being set on fire by hell.

⁷ For every nature of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of the rest, is tamed, and hath been tamed, by the nature of man:

⁸ But the tongue no man can tame, an unquiet evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹ By it we bless God and the Father: and by it we curse men, who are made after the likeness of God.

¹⁰ Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.