James 3:8

but the tongue can no one among men tame; [it is] an unsettled evil, full of death-bringing poison.

Darby Translation

In The King James Version

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

In Context

7For every species both of beasts and of birds, both of creeping things and of sea animals, is tamed and has been tamed by the human species;

9Therewith bless we the Lord and Father, and therewith curse we men made after [the] likeness of God.

Read all of James 3

Cross References

Psalms 55:21Smooth were the milky [words] of his mouth, but his heart was war; his words were softer than oil, yet are they drawn swords.

Psalms 58:4Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: [they are] like the deaf adder which stoppeth her ear;

Psalms 64:3Who have sharpened their tongue like a sword, [and] have aimed their arrow, a bitter word;

Ecclesiastes 10:11If the serpent bite before enchantment, then the charmer hath no advantage.

James 3:6and the tongue [is] fire, the world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set in our members, the defiler of the whole body, and which sets fire to the course of nature, and is set on fire of hell.

Matthew Henry on James 3:2-13

Government of the Tongue. ( a. d. 61.) 1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm,… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study James 3:8