The Evil Tongue

(Jas 3:1–12)

12 If you blow on a spark, it will glow;

if you spit on it, it will be put out;

yet both come out of your mouth.

13 Curse the gossips and the double-tongued,

for they destroy the peace of many.

14 Slanderc has shaken many,

and scattered them from nation to nation;

it has destroyed strong cities,

and overturned the houses of the great.

15 Slanderd has driven virtuous women from their homes,

and deprived them of the fruit of their toil.

16 Those who pay heed to slandere will not find rest,

nor will they settle down in peace.

17 The blow of a whip raises a welt,

but a blow of the tongue crushes the bones.

18 Many have fallen by the edge of the sword,

but not as many as have fallen because of the tongue.

19 Happy is the one who is protected from it,

who has not been exposed to its anger,

who has not borne its yoke,

and has not been bound with its fetters.

20 For its yoke is a yoke of iron,

and its fetters are fetters of bronze;

21 its death is an evil death,

and Hades is preferable to it.

22 It has no power over the godly;

they will not be burned in its flame.

23 Those who forsake the Lord will fall into its power;

it will burn among them and will not be put out.

It will be sent out against them like a lion;

like a leopard it will mangle them.

24a As you fence in your property with thorns,

25b so make a door and a bolt for your mouth.

24b As you lock up your silver and gold,

25a so make balances and scales for your words.

26 Take care not to err with your tongue,f

and fall victim to one lying in wait.