^{3 Ref} Now if we put bits of iron into horses' mouths so that they may be guided by us, we have complete control of their bodies.

^{4 Ref} And again ships, though they are so great and are moved by violent winds, are turned by a very small guiding-blade, at the impulse of the man who is using it.

^{5 Ref} Even so the tongue is a small part of the body, but it takes credit for great things. How much wood may be lighted by a very little fire!

^{6 Ref} And the tongue is a fire; it is the power of evil placed in our bodies, making all the body unclean, putting the wheel of life on fire, and getting its fire from hell.

⁷ For every sort of beast and bird and every living thing on earth and in the sea has been controlled by man and is under his authority;

^{8 Ref} But the tongue may not be controlled by man; it is an unresting evil, it is full of the poison of death.

^{9 Ref} With it we give praise to our Lord and Father; and with it we put a curse on men who are made in God's image.

^{3 Ref} Indeed, we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.

^{4 Ref} 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 Ref} So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!

^{6 Ref} 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.{Gehenna is a name that describes a burning Hell with rotting bodies and unclean things in it}

⁷ For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind.

^{8 Ref} But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

^{9 Ref} With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God.