⁵ So also the tongue is a small member of the body^[a] and boasts great things. Behold how small a fire sets ablaze how great a forest! ⁶ And the tongue is a fire! The world of unrighteousness,^[b] the tongue, is set among our members, defiling the whole body and setting on fire the course of human existence^[c], being set on fire by hell.

⁷ For every species of animals and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, is being tamed and has been tamed by the human species,