James 3:5 Parallel Translations

In the same way the tongue is a small part of the body, but it can brag about doing important things. A large forest can be set on fire by a little flame.(GOD'S WORD®)

KJV:

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

ASV:

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

BBE:

Even so the tongue is a small part of the body, but it takes credit for great things. How much wood may be lighted by a very little fire!

DBY:

Thus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wood it kindles!

ERV:

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

WEY:

In the same way the tongue is an insignificant part of the body, but it is immensely boastful. Remember how a mere spark may set a vast forest in flames.

WBS:

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

WEB:

So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!

YLT:

so also the tongue is a little member, and doth boast greatly; lo, a little fire how much wood it doth kindle!

James 3:5 Cross References

XREF:

Psalm 12:3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, The tongue that speaks great things;

Psalm 73:8 They mock and wickedly speak of oppression; They speak from on high.

Proverbs 26:20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down. (NASB ©1995)

Commentaries and Concordances

GSB:

3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. {5} Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
(5) On the contrary part he shows how great inconveniences arise by the excesses of the tongue, throughout the whole world, to the end that men may so much the more diligently give themselves to control it.

PNT:

3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member. Though so small it can control the body like a bridle, or the helm of a ship. It is a power.
And boasteth great things. Claims great powers.
Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth! As a spark may burn a house, a little thing like the tongue may stir up great trouble.

WES:

3:5 Boasteth great things - Hath great influence.

MHC:

3:1-12 We are taught to dread an unruly tongue, as one of the greatest evils. The affairs of mankind are thrown into confusion by the tongues of men. Every age of the world, and every condition of life, private or public, affords examples of this. Hell has more to do in promoting the fire of the tongue than men generally think; and whenever men's tongues are employed in sinful ways, they are set on fire of hell. No man can tame the tongue without Divine grace and assistance. The apostle does not represent it as impossible, but as extremely difficult. Other sins decay with age, this many times gets worse; we grow more froward and fretful, as natural strength decays, and the days come on in which we have no pleasure. When other sins are tamed and subdued by the infirmities of age, the spirit often grows more tart, nature being drawn down to the dregs, and the words used become more passionate. That man's tongue confutes itself, which at one time pretends to adore the perfections of God, and to refer all things to him; and at another time condemns even good men, if they do not use the same words and expressions. True religion will not admit of contradictions: how many sins would be prevented, if men would always be consistent! Pious and edifying language is the genuine produce of a sanctified heart; and none who understand Christianity, expect to hear curses, lies, boastings, and revilings from a true believer's mouth, any more than they look for the fruit of one tree from another. But facts prove that more professors succeed in bridling their senses and appetites, than in duly restraining their tongues. Then, depending on Divine grace, let us take heed to bless and curse not; and let us aim to be consistent in our words and actions.

CONC:

Ablaze Aflame Behold Boast Boasteth Boastful Boasts Body Consider Credit Fire Flames Forest Greatly Immensely Insignificant Kindle Kindled Kindles Kindleth Large Lighted Makes Matter Member Mere Remember Spark Spread Takes Thus Tongue Vast Wood Yet

Ablaze Aflame Boasteth Boasts Credit Fire Forest Great Greatly Insignificant Kindle Kindles Kindleth Likewise Little Makes Matter Member Mere Part Remember Small Spark Spread Tongue Way Wood

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.

GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved.

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