James 3: 1-12
The Tongue Is a Fire
1 Let not many
of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a [SUP][
a][/SUP]stricter judgment. [SUP]2 [/SUP]For we all stumble in many
ways. If anyone does not stumble in [SUP][
b][/SUP]what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. [SUP]3 [/SUP]Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. [SUP]4 [/SUP]Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. [SUP]5 [/SUP]So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and
yet it boasts of great things.
See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! [SUP]6 [/SUP]And the tongue is a fire, the
very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of
our [SUP][
c][/SUP]life, and is set on fire by [SUP][
d][/SUP]hell. [SUP]7 [/SUP]For every [SUP][
e][/SUP]species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human [SUP][
f][/SUP]race. [SUP]8 [/SUP]But no one can tame the tongue;
it is a restless evil
and full of deadly poison. [SUP]9 [/SUP]With it we bless
our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; [SUP]10 [/SUP]from the same mouth come
both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. [SUP]11 [/SUP]Does a fountain send out from the same opening
both [SUP][
g][/SUP]fresh and bitter
water? [SUP]12 [/SUP]Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor
can salt water produce [SUP][
h][/SUP]fresh.
