Jam 1:26, 3:2-10 | ESV | STEP | If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart , this person’s religion is worthless .

James 1:26

26 If anyone thinks he is religious ^aand does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s ^breligion is worthless.

James 3:2-10

2 For ^cwe all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, ^dhe is a perfect man, ^eable also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put ^fbits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet ^git boasts of great things.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And ^hthe tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, ⁱstaining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, ^{▼▼Or wheel of birth} and set on fire by hell. ^{▼▼Greek Gehenna} 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, ^lfull of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people ^mwho are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, ^{▼▼Or brothers and sisters; also verse 12} these things ought not to be so.