James 3:2-9

Christian Standard Bible

² For we all stumble in many ways.^(A) If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body.^{(B) 3} Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us,^(C) we direct their whole bodies. 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.^(D) Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. ⁶ And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed^[a] among our members. It stains the whole body,^(E) sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. ⁷ Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish is tamed and has been tamed by humankind, ⁸ but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.^{(F) 9} With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness.^(G)