James 3:5

James chapter 3 · verse 5 in three public-domain English translations with cross-references

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!

Context

v.4Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth.

v.5This passage

v.6And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Jeremiah 18:18

    Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.

  • Jeremiah 9:3

    And they bend their tongue, as it were their bow, for falsehood; and they are grown strong in the land, but not for truth: for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith Jehovah.

  • Job 22:17

    Who said unto God, Depart from us; And, What can the Almighty do for us?

  • Jude 1:16

    These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaketh great swelling words), showing respect of persons for the sake of advantage.

  • Proverbs 15:2

    The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.

  • 2 Peter 2:18

    For, uttering great swelling words of vanity, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by lasciviousness, those who are just escaping from them that live in error;