AMP

AMP

Click to Change

Return to Top

Return to Top

Printer Icon

Print

Copy
Copy Options
Format by: Verse Paragraph
Strong's
Red Letter
Audio Bibles
The Blue Letter Bible

James 3 :: Amplified Bible (AMP)

toggle collapse
Choose a new font size and typeface
Audio Bibles

The Tongue Is a Fire

Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:1 -

Not many [of you] should become teachers [serving in an official teaching capacity], my brothers and sisters, for you know that we [who are teachers] will [fn]be judged by a higher standard [because we have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if we teach incorrectly].

Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:2 - For we all stumble and sin in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says [never saying the wrong thing], he is a perfect man [fully developed in character, without serious flaws], able to bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature [taming his human faults and weaknesses].
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:3 - Now if we put bits into the horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we guide their whole body as well.
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:4 - And look at the ships. Even though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines.
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:5 - In the same sense, the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.

See [by comparison] how great a forest is set on fire by a small spark!

Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:6 - And the tongue is [in a sense] a fire, the very world of injustice and unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life [the cycle of man’s existence], and is itself set on fire by [fn]hell (Gehenna).
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:7 - For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:8 - But no one can tame the human tongue; it is a restless evil [undisciplined, unstable], full of deadly poison.
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:9 - With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God.
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:10 - Out of the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. These things, my brothers, should not be this way [for we have a moral obligation to speak in a manner that reflects our fear of God and profound respect for His precepts].
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:11 - Does a spring send out from the same opening both [fn]fresh and bitter water?
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:12 - Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce [fn]fresh.

Wisdom from Above

Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:13 -

Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him by his good conduct show his [good] deeds with the gentleness and humility of true wisdom.

Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:14 - But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be arrogant, and [as a result] be in defiance of the truth.
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:15 - This [superficial] wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly (secular), natural (unspiritual), even demonic.
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:16 - For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder [unrest, rebellion] and every evil thing and morally degrading practice.
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:17 - But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile].
Unchecked Copy BoxJas 3:18 - And the seed whose fruit is righteousness (spiritual maturity) is sown in peace by those who make peace [by actively encouraging goodwill between individuals].
AMP Footnotes
Lit receive greater judgment.
See note Matt 5:22.
Lit sweet.
Lit sweet.
AMP

Amplified Bible Copyright (c) 2015 by

The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631 All rights reserved.

For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.

BLB Searches
Search the Bible
AMP
 [?]

Advanced Options

Other Searches

Multi-Verse Retrieval
x
AMP

Daily Devotionals
x

Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness.

Daily Bible Reading Plans
x

Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year.

One-Year Plans

Two-Year Plan