James 3:8

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

ASV Byzantine Text

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 kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind:

9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God:

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Cross References

Psalms 55:21His mouth was smooth as butter, But his heart was war: His words were softer than oil, Yet were they drawn swords.

Psalms 58:4Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: They are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear,

Psalms 64:3Who have whet their tongue like a sword, And have aimed their arrows, even bitter words,

Ecclesiastes 10:11If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.

James 3:6And the tongue is a fire, the world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by 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

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