James 3:2-6

New American Standard Bible

² For we all ^(A)stumble in many ways. ^(B)If anyone does not stumble in ^[a]what he says, he is a ^(C)perfect man, able to ^[b](D)rein in the whole body as well. ³ Now ^(E)if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their whole body as well. ⁴ Look at the ships too: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are nevertheless directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot determines. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it ^(F)boasts of great things.

^(G)See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! ⁶ And ^(H)the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among ^[c]our body’s parts as that which ^(I)defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our ^[d]life, and is set on fire by ^[e](J)hell.