James 3:2-10

2All of us make a lot of mistakes. If someone doesn’t make any mistakes when he speaks, he would be perfect. He would be able to control everything he does.

3We put bits in the mouths of horses to make them obey us, and we have control over everything they do.

4The same thing is true for ships. They are very big and are driven by strong winds. Yet, by using small rudders, pilots steer ships wherever they want them to go.

5In the same way the tongue is a small part of the body, but it can brag about doing important things. A large forest can be set on fire by a little flame.

6The tongue is that kind of flame. It is a world of evil among the parts of our bodies, and it completely contaminates our bodies. The tongue sets our lives on fire, and is itself set on fire from hell.

7People have tamed all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures.

8Yet, no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil filled with deadly poison.

9With our tongues we praise our Lord and Father. Yet, with the same tongues we curse people, who were created in God’s likeness.

10Praise and curses come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, this should not happen!