James 3:1-5

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Controlling the Tongue

3 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment,^{(A) 2} for we all stumble in many ways.^(B) If anyone does not stumble in what he says,^[a] he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body.^[b](C)

³ Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us,^(D) we also guide the whole animal.^{[c] 4} And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things.^(E) Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites.