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James 3 - New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995)

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The Tongue Is a Fire

3 (A)Let not many of you become teachers, (B)my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a [a]stricter judgment. 2 For we all (C)stumble in many ways. (D)If anyone does not stumble in [b]what he says, he is a (E)perfect man, able to (F)bridle the whole body as well. 3 Now (G)if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 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. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it (H)boasts of great things.

(I)See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And (J)the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which (K)defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our [c]life, and is set on fire by [d](L)hell. 7 For every [e]species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human [f]race. 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of (M)deadly poison. 9 With it we bless (N)our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, (O)who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. 11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both [g]fresh and bitter water? 12 (P)Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce [h]fresh.

Wisdom from Above

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? (Q)Let him show by his (R)good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter (S)jealousy and [i]selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against (T)the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down (U)from above, but is (V)earthly, [j](W)natural, (X)demonic. 16 For where (Y)jealousy and [k]selfish ambition exist, [l]there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom (Z)from above is first (AA)pure, then (AB)peaceable, (AC)gentle, [m]reasonable, (AD)full of mercy and good fruits, (AE)unwavering, without (AF)hypocrisy. 18 And the [n](AG)seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace [o]by those who make peace.

Footnotes

  1. James 3:1 Or greater condemnation
  2. James 3:2 Lit word
  3. James 3:6 Or existence, origin
  4. James 3:6 Gr Gehenna
  5. James 3:7 Lit nature
  6. James 3:7 Lit nature
  7. James 3:11 Lit sweet
  8. James 3:12 V 11, note 1
  9. James 3:14 Or strife
  10. James 3:15 Or unspiritual
  11. James 3:16 V 14, note 1
  12. James 3:16 I.e. in that place
  13. James 3:17 Or willing to yield
  14. James 3:18 Lit fruit of righteousness
  15. James 3:18 Or for

Cross references

  1. James 3:1 : Matt 23:8; Rom 2:20f; 1 Tim 1:7
  2. James 3:1 : James 1:16; 3:10
  3. James 3:2 : James 2:10
  4. James 3:2 : Matt 12:34-37; James 3:2-12
  5. James 3:2 : James 1:4
  6. James 3:2 : James 1:26
  7. James 3:3 : Ps 32:9
  8. James 3:5 : Ps 12:3f; 73:8f
  9. James 3:5 : Prov 26:20f
  10. James 3:6 : Ps 120:2, 3; Prov 16:27
  11. James 3:6 : Matt 12:36f; 15:11, 18f
  12. James 3:6 : Matt 5:22
  13. James 3:8 : Ps 140:3; Eccl 10:11; Rom 3:13
  14. James 3:9 : James 1:27
  15. James 3:9 : Gen 1:26; 1 Cor 11:7
  16. James 3:12 : Matt 7:16
  17. James 3:13 : James 2:18
  18. James 3:13 : 1 Pet 2:12
  19. James 3:14 : Rom 2:8; 2 Cor 12:20; James 3:16
  20. James 3:14 : 1 Tim 2:4; James 1:18; 5:19
  21. James 3:15 : James 1:17
  22. James 3:15 : 1 Cor 2:6; 3:19
  23. James 3:15 : 2 Cor 1:12; Jude 19
  24. James 3:15 : 2 Thess 2:9f; 1 Tim 4:1; Rev 2:24
  25. James 3:16 : Rom 2:8; 2 Cor 12:20; James 3:14
  26. James 3:17 : James 1:17
  27. James 3:17 : 2 Cor 7:11; James 4:8
  28. James 3:17 : Matt 5:9; Heb 12:11
  29. James 3:17 : Titus 3:2
  30. James 3:17 : Luke 6:36; James 2:13
  31. James 3:17 : James 2:4
  32. James 3:17 : Rom 12:9; 2 Cor 6:6
  33. James 3:18 : Prov 11:18; Is 32:17; Hos 10:12; Amos 6:12; Gal 6:8; Phil 1:11

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James 3 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

3 My brothers, not many of you should be teachers. You know that we who teach will be punished more than other people. 2 We all do many wrong things. Any man who never says anything wrong is right in every way. He is able to make his whole body do what is right. 3 We put a piece of iron in the mouth...
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James 3 - World English Bible (WEB)

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James 3 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Dangerous Tongue3 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, since you know that we will receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 3 And if we put bits int...
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James 3 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Taming the Tongue3 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all make many mistakes, and if any one makes no mistakes in what he says he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. 3 If we put bits i...
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James 3 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Taming the Tongue3 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all make many mistakes, and if any one makes no mistakes in what he says he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. 3 If we put bits i...
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James 3 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

3 My brothers, do not let many of you become instructors, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we all sin. If anyone does not sin in word, he is a perfect man and able to bridle his whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will ob...
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James 3 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

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James 3 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Taming the Tongue3 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters,[a] for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. ...
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James 3 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Taming the Tongue3 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters,[a] for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. ...
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James 3 - New King James Version (NKJV)

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