James 3:8

but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Berean Standard Bible

In The King James Version

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

In Context

7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,

9With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.

Read all of James 3

Cross References

Psalms 55:21His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.

Psalms 58:4Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears,

Psalms 64:3who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows,

Ecclesiastes 10:11If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.

James 3:6The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself 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

Study James 3:8