^{1 Ref} Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.

^{2 Ref} For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn't stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.

^{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.

^{10 Ref} Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.