James 5:12
But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
But aboue all things, my brethren, sweare not, neither by heauen, neither by the earth, neither by any other othe: but let your yea, be yea, and your nay, nay: lest yee fall into condemnation.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
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From verse 12
- Matthew 5:33–37Rank 1 from verse 12
33¶ Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
33¶ Againe, yee haue heard that it hath beene said by them of old time, *Thou shalt not forsweare thy selfe, but shalt performe vnto the Lord thine othes.
34But I say vnto you, Sweare not at all, neither by heauen, for it is Gods throne:
35Nor by the earth, for it is his footstoole: neither by Hierusalem, for it is the citie of the great king.
36Neither shalt thou sweare by thy head, because thou canst not make one haire white or blacke.
37*But let your communication bee Yea, yea: Nay, nay: For whatsoeuer is more then these, commeth of euill.
- Matthew 23:16–22Rank 2 from verse 12
16Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
17Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
18And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
19Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
20Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
21And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
22And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
16Woe vnto you, yee blind guides, which say, Whosoeuer shall sweare by the Temple, it is nothing: but whosoeuer shal sweare by the gold of the Temple, he is a debter.
17 Ye fooles and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the Temple that sanctifieth the gold?
18And whosoeuer shall sweare by the Altar, it is nothing: but whosoeuer sweareth by the gift that is vpon it, he is ‖guiltie.
19 Ye fooles and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the Altar that sanctifieth the gift?
20Who so therefore shall sweare by the Altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
21And who so shall sweare by the Temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
22And he that shall sweare by heauen, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
- 2 Corinthians 1:17–20Rank 3 from verse 12
17When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?
18But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
20For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
17When I therefore was thus minded, did I vse lightnesse? or the things that I purpose, doe I purpose according to the flesh, that with mee there should be yea yea, and nay nay?
18But as God is true, our ‖word toward you, was not yea and nay.
19For the Sonne of God Iesus Christ, who was preached among you by vs, euen by me, and Syluanus and Timotheus, was not Yea, and Nay, but in him, was yea.
20For all the promises of God in him are Yea, and in him Amen, vnto the glory of God by vs.
- 1 Peter 4:8Rank 4 from verse 12
- James 3:1–2Rank 5 from verse 12
1MY brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
1¶ My brethren, bee not many masters, knowing that we shall receiue the greater ‖condemnation.
2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
- 1 Corinthians 11:34Rank 6 from verse 12
- 3 John 1:2Rank 7 from verse 12
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
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DEFINED WORDS
James 5:12
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
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
To make a solemn oath or binding affirmation.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Also not; nor, introducing or joining a further negative statement or prohibition. 2. Not either, or none, of the alternatives named, commonly in a neither ... nor construction.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: The firmament or expanse above the earth, including the sky and the region of the sun, moon, stars, clouds, rain, and flying creatures. Sense 2: The realm above spoken of as God's throne and dwelling place, and as the place of angels, heavenly beings, and the righteous. Sense 3: By metonymy, God, heavenly authority or source, or those who dwell there.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Sense 1: The world in distinction from heaven. Sense 2: Dry land, ground, soil, or dust. Sense 3: A land, region, or its inhabitants.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: To allow or permit; in older KJV use, also to hinder or restrain. Sense 2: To lower or send down.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The possessive form of ye or you, ordinarily plural, marking what belongs to, concerns, proceeds from, or stands in relation to the persons addressed.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Indeed, marking confirmation, emphasis, addition, continuation, or heightening of what is said; it may also emphasize a question. 2. Yes, expressing an affirmative answer or declaration.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. No; a denial or refusal. 2. Rather; on the contrary.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
For fear that, to prevent the possibility that, or so that an undesired or warned-of result may not occur.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: To descend, drop, or lose an upright position. Sense 2: To be slain, defeated, overthrown, ruined, or brought down. Sense 3: To come upon or attack. Sense 4: To pass into a specified place, condition, power, or course, or to depart from a former standing. Sense 5: To happen, turn out, or be allotted. Sense 6: As a noun, descent, overthrow, ruin, or loss of standing.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828
COMBINED MEANING
condemnation
The act or sentence of declaring guilty and liable to judgment; the state, cause, or result of being condemned.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
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Related Concepts
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hell and judgment
heaven and eternal life
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11Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
11Beholde, wee count them happie which endure. Ye haue heard of the patience of Iob, and haue seene the end of the Lord: that the Lord is very pitifull and of tender mercie.
12But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
12But aboue all things, my brethren, sweare not, neither by heauen, neither by the earth, neither by any other othe: but let your yea, be yea, and your nay, nay: lest yee fall into condemnation.
Selected passage13Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
13Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing Psalmes.