Jam 3:2-12 | ESV | STEP | For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says , he is a perfect man , able also to bridle his whole body .

‏ James 3:2-12

2 For ^awe all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, ^bhe is a perfect man, ^cable also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put ^dbits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet ^eit boasts of great things.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And ^fthe tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, ^gstaining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, ^{▼▼Or wheel of birth} and set on fire by hell. ^{▼▼Greek Gehenna} 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, ^jfull of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people ^kwho are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, ^{▼▼Or brothers and sisters; also verse 12} these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.