James 3:2–12

²For in many things we all offend. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man. He is able also with a bridle to lead about the whole body.

³For if we put bits into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us: and we turn about their whole body.

⁴Behold also ships, whereas they are great and are driven by strong winds, yet are they turned about with a small helm, whithersoever the force of the governor willeth.

⁵Even so the tongue is indeed a little member and boasteth great things. Behold how small a fire kindleth a great wood.

⁶And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is placed among our members, which defileth the whole body and inflameth the wheel of our nativity, being set on fire by hell.

⁷For every nature of beasts and of birds and of serpents and of the rest is tamed and hath been tamed, by the nature of man.

⁸But the tongue no man can tame, an unquiet evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹By it we bless God and the Father: and by it we curse men who are made after the likeness of God.

¹⁰Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

¹¹Doth a fountain send forth, out of the same hole, sweet and bitter water?

¹²Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear grapes? Or the vine, figs? So neither can the salt water yield sweet.