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James 3:8

Words and speechSin

6 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.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,

but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.

10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!

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Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
KJV
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
WEB
but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
ASV
But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] a restless evil, [it is] full of deadly poison.
DARBY
but the tongue can no one among men tame; [it is] an unsettled evil, full of death-bringing poison.
BLB
but no one of men is able to subdue the tongue; [it is] an unstable evil, full of deadly poison.
ÅB
men tungen kan intet menneske temme, det ustyrlige onde, full av dødelig gift.
OTB
men ingen menneske kan temme tungen. Den er en rastløs ondskap, full av dødelig gift.
B1930
men tungen kan intet menneske temme, det ustyrlige onde, full av dødelig gift.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Romans 3:13

    “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.”

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  • Psalms 140:3

    They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah

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  • Psalms 55:21

    His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.

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  • James 3:6

    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.

    Read in context

  • Psalms 57:4

    My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts— with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

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  • Psalms 64:3–4

    who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows,

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  • Psalms 59:7

    See what they spew from their mouths— sharp words from their lips: “For who can hear us?”

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  • Psalms 58:4

    Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears,

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