NASB
"So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!"
— James 3:5, NASB
“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”
“So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire! ”
“So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!”
“So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze.”
“Even so the tongue is indeed a little member and boasteth great things. Behold how small a fire kindleth a great wood.”
“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!”
“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”
For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.
Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.
Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.
So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.
For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.
But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.