James 3:8

But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Unlocked Literal Bible

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 wild animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is being tamed and has been tamed by mankind.

9With it we praise the 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 mouth was smooth as butter, 1 but his heart was hostile; 1 his words were softer than oil, 1 yet they were actually drawn swords. 1

Psalms 58:4Their poison is like a snake's poison; 1 they are like a deaf adder that stops up its ears, 1

Psalms 64:3They have sharpened their tongues like swords; 1 they have aimed their arrows, bitter words, 1

Ecclesiastes 10:11If a snake bites before it is charmed, 2 then there is no advantage for the charmer. 1

James 3:6The tongue is also a fire, a world of sinfulness set among our body parts. It stains the whole body and sets on fire the course of life. It 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 →

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