James 3:2-12

Living_Oracles(i) 2 For in many things we all offend. If any one offend not in the word, he is a perfect man, able to rule, also, the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits into the mouths of horses, to make them obedient to us, and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold, also, the ships, which, though they be so great, and are driven by fierce winds, are turned about by a very small helm, whithersoever the power of the pilot determines: 5 so, also, the tongue is a little member, yet it works mightily. Behold, how much wood a little fire kindles! 6 Now the tongue is a fire-a world of iniquity; the tongue is so placed among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets the wheel of nature in a blaze, and is set on fire from hell. 7 Now every species of wild beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of sea monsters, is subdued, and has been subdued by man: 8 but the tongue of men, no one can subdue; it is an unruly evil thing, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless God, even the Father; and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed a blessing and a curse! My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Does a fountain send forth, from the same opening, sweet water and bitter? 12 Can a fig-tree, my brethren, produces olives; or a vine, figs? So, no fountain can yield salt water and fresh.