"...But no one can tame the tongue--a restless evil, full of deadly poison."

From today's Lectionary hat tip Bird Dog

James 3:1-12


3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.


3:2 For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle.


3:3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies.


3:4 Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.


3:5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire!


:6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell.


3:7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species,


3:8 but no one can tame the tongue--a restless evil, full of deadly poison.


3:9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God.


3:10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.


3:11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water?


3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.