James:3:1-12

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* Do not become many teachers , my brothers , because you know well that we teachers shall be judged by a severer standard than others . * For in many respects we often stumble . If any man never stumbles in speech , the same is a perfect man , able to bridle the whole body as well . * When we put bits in the mouths of horses to make them obey us , we control their whole body also . * Look at the ships too , though they are so large , even when driven by fierce winds they are turned by a very small rudder , wherever the impulse of the helmsman wills . * So also the tongue is a small member and makes great boasts . Behold , how great a forest is set on fire by a little spark ! * And the tongue is a fire ; it is a very world of iniquity among our members , defiling the whole body , and setting on fire the wheel of nature , and is itself set on fire by hell . * For while every kind of beast and bird , and of reptiles and sea - creatures are tamable , and actually have been tamed by mankind , * no man can tame the tongue , restless evil that it is , full of deadly poison . * With it we continually bless our Lord and Father , and with it we are accustomed to curse men made in the image of God . * From out of the same mouth pour forth blessings and cursings ! My brothers , this ought not to be so . * Does a spring pour forth from the same opening sweet water and bitter ? * Can a fig tree , my brothers , bear olives ; or a grape-vine , figs ? No more can salt water yield fresh water .

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