The offending tongue
(James 3:1-12)
1
Hear, O God, my voice of complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.
2
Hide me from the scheming of the wicked, from the mob of workers of iniquity,
3
who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows,
4
ambushing the innocent in seclusion, shooting suddenly, without fear.
5
They hold fast to their evil purpose; they speak of hiding their snares. “Who will see them?” they say.
6
They devise injustice and say, “We have perfected a secret plan.” For the inner man and the heart are mysterious.
7
But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be wounded.
8
They will be made to stumble, their own tongues turned against them. All who see will shake their heads.
9
Then all mankind will fear and proclaim the work of God; so they will ponder what He has done.
10
Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in Him; let all the upright in heart exult.