🌿WEB · James 3:6

What does James 3:6 mean?

"And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna."

— James 3:6 (World English Bible)

Surrounding context

3

Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.

4

Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.

5

So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!

6

And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.

7

For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind;

8

but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9

With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God.

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