James 3:5
“Euen so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things: behold, how great a matter a litle fire kindleth.”
1611 King James Version (KJV)
Viewing the original 1611 KJV with archaic English spelling.
Click to switch to the Standard KJV.
James 3:5 Context
3Behold, we put bittes in the horses mouthes, that they may obey vs, and we turne about their whole body. 4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driuen of fierce windes, yet are they turned about with a very small helme, whithersoeuer the gouernour listeth. 5Euen so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things: behold, how great a matter a litle fire kindleth. 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquitie: so is the tongue amongst our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell. 7For euery kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind.
Share This Verse:
Other Translations
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
- King James Version
So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and {yet} it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
- New American Standard Version (1995)
So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!
- American Standard Version (1901)
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!
- Basic English Bible
Thus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wood it kindles!
- Darby Bible
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
- Webster's Bible
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.
- Weymouth Bible
So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!
- World English Bible
So also the tunge is but a litil membre, and reisith grete thingis. Lo! hou litil fier brenneth a ful greet wode.
- Wycliffe Bible
so also the tongue is a little member, and doth boast greatly; lo, a little fire how much wood it doth kindle!
- Youngs Literal Bible
- King James Version
So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and {yet} it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
- New American Standard Version (1995)
So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!
- American Standard Version (1901)
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!
- Basic English Bible
Thus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wood it kindles!
- Darby Bible
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
- Webster's Bible
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.
- Weymouth Bible
So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!
- World English Bible
So also the tunge is but a litil membre, and reisith grete thingis. Lo! hou litil fier brenneth a ful greet wode.
- Wycliffe Bible
so also the tongue is a little member, and doth boast greatly; lo, a little fire how much wood it doth kindle!
- Youngs Literal Bible
Bible commentary
Wesley's Notes for James 3:5
3:5 Boasteth great things - Hath great influence.
People's Bible Notes for James 3:5
Jas 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.