James 3:5-12

5So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze.

6And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence – and is set on fire by hell.

7For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is subdued and has been subdued by humankind.

8But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God’s image.

10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters.

11A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it?

12Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a vine produce figs? Neither can a salt water spring produce fresh water.