VERSE STUDY • KJV

James 3:6

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.

Read it in 5 translations

KJV King James Version

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.

BSB Berean Standard Bible

The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

WEB World English Bible

And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.

ASV American Standard Version

And 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.

YLT Young’s Literal Translation

and the tongue is a fire, the world of the unrighteousness, so the tongue is set in our members, which is spotting our whole body, and is setting on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by the gehenna.

Surrounding context — James 3

3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

4 Behold 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.

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

6 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.

7 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:

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

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

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Cross-references

Psalm 120:2-3Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, [and] from a deceitful tongue.Proverbs 16:27An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips [there is] as a burning fire.Mark 7:15There 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.Matthew 15:11-20Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.Proverbs 15:1A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.Mark 7:20-22And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.Luke 16:24And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.Colossians 3:8-9But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.Psalm 64:3Who whet their tongue like a sword, [and] bend [their bows to shoot] their arrows, [even] bitter words:Matthew 12:32-36And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the [world] to come.Proverbs 6:19A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.Psalm 140:3They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison [is] under their lips. Selah.Proverbs 7:21-23With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.Romans 3:13-14Their throat [is] an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps [is] under their lips:Mark 14:55-57And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.Jude 1:8-10Likewise also these [filthy] dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.Acts 5:3But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land?Acts 6:13And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION

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