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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

James 3:5–10

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

26 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 5

  1. Proverbs 18:21Rank 1 from verse 5
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    21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

  2. Jeremiah 9:3–8Rank 2 from verse 5
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    3And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord.

    4Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders.

    5And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.

    6Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the Lord.

    7Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how shall I do for the daughter of my people?

    8Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait.

  3. Proverbs 12:18Rank 3 from verse 5
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    18There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

  4. Proverbs 15:2Rank 4 from verse 5
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    2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

  5. Psalms 17:10Rank 5 from verse 5
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    10They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

From verse 6

  1. Psalms 120:2–3Rank 1 from verse 6
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    2Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

    3What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?

  2. Proverbs 16:27Rank 2 from verse 6
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    27An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

  3. Mark 7:15Rank 3 from verse 6
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    15There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

  4. Matthew 15:11–20Rank 4 from verse 6
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    11Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

    12Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

    13But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

    14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

    15Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.

    16And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

    17Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

    18But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

    19For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

    20These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

  5. Proverbs 15:1Rank 5 from verse 6
    Open

    1A SOFT answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

From verse 7

  1. Mark 5:4Rank 1 from verse 7
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    4Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

From verse 8

  1. Romans 3:13Rank 1 from verse 8
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    13Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

  2. Psalms 140:3Rank 2 from verse 8
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    3They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah.

  3. Psalms 55:21Rank 3 from verse 8
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    21The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

  4. James 3:6Rank 4 from verse 8
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    6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

  5. Psalms 57:4Rank 5 from verse 8
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    4My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

From verse 9

  1. Psalms 10:7Rank 1 from verse 9
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    7His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.

  2. Genesis 1:26–27Rank 2 from verse 9
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    26¶ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

    27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

  3. Isaiah 29:13Rank 3 from verse 9
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    13¶ Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

  4. Psalms 62:4Rank 4 from verse 9
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    4They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.

  5. Genesis 9:6Rank 5 from verse 9
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    6Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

From verse 10

  1. Romans 12:14Rank 1 from verse 10
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    14Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

  2. 1 Peter 3:9Rank 2 from verse 10
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    9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

  3. Psalms 50:16–20Rank 3 from verse 10
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    16But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?

    17Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.

    18When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.

    19Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.

    20Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.

  4. 1 Corinthians 3:3Rank 4 from verse 10
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    3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

  5. 1 Timothy 5:13Rank 5 from verse 10
    Open

    13And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

James 3:5

COMBINED MEANING

even

↗

1. Used to emphasize, include, or precisely identify what is meant: indeed, precisely, or namely. 2. Used to mark a boundary, endpoint, or full reach in place, time, or degree: up to, as far as, or through. 3. In ‘even as,’ ‘even so,’ and like constructions, just as, exactly so, or in the same manner. 4. The evening, or close of day. 5. Equal, level, identical, balanced, or uniform.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

tongue

↗

1. The organ of the mouth used for tasting and speech. 2. Speech, words, or a language. 3. A tongue-shaped projection or arm of land or water.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

member

↗

A limb or subordinate part of a body; an individual constituent belonging to a larger body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

behold

↗

1. Used as an attention word or command directing someone to look at or take notice of the person, thing, statement, or event presented: look; see; take notice. 2. As a verb, to look upon, see, observe, or witness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fire

↗

Burning flame and heat that gives light, consumes, purifies, or destroys.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

James 3:6

COMBINED MEANING

tongue

↗

1. The organ of the mouth used for tasting and speech. 2. Speech, words, or a language. 3. A tongue-shaped projection or arm of land or water.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fire

↗

Burning flame and heat that gives light, consumes, purifies, or destroys.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

iniquity

↗

Wickedness, unrighteousness, transgression, or sin; the guilt or burden of such wrongdoing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

members

↗

Sense 1: The limbs, organs, faculties, or other constituent parts of a body. Sense 2: Figuratively, persons joined as distinct parts of one body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

body

↗

Sense 1: The material frame of a person or creature. Sense 2: A visible form, mass, or main substance. Sense 3: A unified whole or company composed of members. Sense 4: Substantial reality distinguished from a shadow.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

setteth

↗

Third-person singular present form of set. Sense 1: To place, fix, appoint, establish, or prescribe. Sense 2: Fixed or determined.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

on

↗

1. At, upon, or in contact with the named place, object, side, or time. 2. Toward, against, concerning, depending upon, or directed to the named person or thing. 3. Forward or continuing; in joined expressions such as go on, put on, and lay hold on, the other words supply the particular action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

course

↗

Sense 1: An appointed order, rotation, division, or turn of service. Sense 2: A path, direction, progress, sequence, or manner in which something proceeds.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

nature

↗

Sense 1: The inherent constitution, qualities, character, or kind of a being or thing. Sense 2: The condition belonging by origin or birth. Sense 3: The established or ordinary order or course of things.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

set

↗

1. To put or place a person or thing in a position, relation, or condition; when passive, to be so placed, fixed, or adorned. 2. To establish, fix, appoint, assign, prescribe, or determine. 3. To arrange, prepare, present, display, or put in order or array. 4. To direct, turn, or firmly apply the face, heart, eyes, mind, affection, or action toward something. 5. To start, advance, send out, proceed on a course or work, or make an attack, as in set forward, set forth, or set upon where those meanings apply. 6. To value or esteem; or, in set at nought or set light by, to despise. 7. Of the sun, to go down.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

hell

↗

Sense 1: A place beneath, associated with the dead, destruction, and confinement. Sense 2: The place of punishment and torment, described as hell fire and fire that never shall be quenched. Sense 3: By figure, the depths, pains, or destructive power of death and overwhelming affliction.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

James 3:7

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

every

↗

Each individual or member of the class, group, place, time, side, or kind named; all distributively.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

kind

↗

Sense 1: A class, sort, nature, or group sharing common characteristics. Sense 2: Benevolent, gracious, helpful, or gentle.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sea

↗

1. A great body or expanse of gathered waters, including a named sea or lake, in which ships and creatures move. 2. The large brazen or molten basin made for the temple and called a sea. 3. Something represented or compared as a sea.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

James 3:8

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

tongue

↗

1. The organ of the mouth used for tasting and speech. 2. Speech, words, or a language. 3. A tongue-shaped projection or arm of land or water.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

unruly

↗

Not readily governed, restrained, or controlled; disorderly or unmanageable.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

evil

↗

Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

poison

↗

A substance which, when taken into the stomach, mixed with the blood or applied to the skin or flesh, proves fatal or deleterious by an action not mechanical; venom.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

James 3:9

COMBINED MEANING

bless

↗

To pronounce or bestow good, favor, or happiness; to praise, thank, or glorify God.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

even

↗

1. Used to emphasize, include, or precisely identify what is meant: indeed, precisely, or namely. 2. Used to mark a boundary, endpoint, or full reach in place, time, or degree: up to, as far as, or through. 3. In ‘even as,’ ‘even so,’ and like constructions, just as, exactly so, or in the same manner. 4. The evening, or close of day. 5. Equal, level, identical, balanced, or uniform.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

father

↗

Sense 1: A male parent or begetter. Sense 2: An ancestor, forefather, founder, source, originator, chief, elder, or one bearing paternal authority and care. Sense 3: God as Father, including the Father of Jesus Christ and of those described as his children.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

curse

↗

Sense 1: A pronouncement, sentence, or imposed condition of evil, loss, or judgment; an oath invoking such a penalty. Sense 2: As a verb, to pronounce judgment or evil upon, condemn, or revile.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

made

↗

Formed, caused, prepared, appointed, or brought into a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

after

↗

1. Later than or following in time or order. 2. Behind. 3. In pursuit of.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

similitude

↗

A likeness, resemblance, form, figure, representation, image, or pattern by which one thing is seen or compared with another.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Bullokar 1616 · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

James 3:10

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

mouth

↗

Sense 1: The bodily opening used for eating, breathing, and speaking. Sense 2: The opening or entrance of a thing. Sense 3: Speech, utterance, or the agency of speaking.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

blessing

↗

Sense 1: The act or words of pronouncing good; divine favor. Sense 2: A benefit bestowed by God.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

cursing

↗

1. The uttering of curses or reviling words. 2. A pronounced curse or doom; the condition subject to it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

brethren

↗

1. Persons of the same people, tribe, community, or shared service who are regarded or addressed as brothers. 2. Persons regarded as brothers by reason of faith or another spiritual relation. 3. Male siblings or other male relatives.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

FOLLOW THE THEME

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Surrounding Verses

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4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

Selected passage

6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

Selected passage

7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

Selected passage

8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Selected passage

9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

Selected passage

10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Selected passage

11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

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