James 1:26 “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tong…”

James 1:26

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

World English Bible

If anyone among you thinks himself to be religious while he doesn’t bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is worthless.

American Standard Version

If any man thinketh himself to be religious, while he bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his heart, this man’s religion is vain.

Geneva Bible 1599

If any man amog you seeme religious, and refraineth not his tongue, but deceiueth his owne heart, this mans religion is vaine.

Darby Translation

If any one think himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his heart, this man's religion is vain.

Young's Literal Translation

If any one doth think to be religious among you, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his heart, of this one vain [is] the religion;

Bible in Basic English

If a man seems to have religion and has no control over his tongue but lets himself be tricked by what is false, this man's religion is of no value.

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Cross references

“seem”

Proverbs 16:25 Luke 8:18 Proverbs 14:12 Galatians 6:3 Galatians 2:6 1 Corinthians 3:18

Proverbs 16:25 · BSB

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

Luke 8:18 · BSB

Pay attention, therefore, to how you listen. Whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”

Proverbs 14:12 · BSB

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

Galatians 6:3 · BSB

If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Galatians 2:6 · BSB

But as for the highly esteemed—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism —those leaders added nothing to me.

1 Corinthians 3:18 · BSB

Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.

“bridleth”

Ephesians 4:29 Psalm 141:3 1 Peter 3:10 Ephesians 5:4 Psalm 34:13 Proverbs 19:1

Ephesians 4:29 · BSB

Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

Psalm 141:3 · BSB

Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.

1 Peter 3:10 · BSB

For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

Ephesians 5:4 · BSB

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving.

Psalm 34:13 · BSB

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.

Proverbs 19:1 · BSB

Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.

“but”

James 1:22 Deuteronomy 11:16 Isaiah 44:20

James 1:22 · BSB

Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.

Deuteronomy 11:16 · BSB

But be careful that you are not enticed to turn aside to worship and bow down to other gods,

Isaiah 44:20 · BSB

He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”

“this”

Mark 7:7 Isaiah 1:13 Malachi 3:14 Matthew 15:9 1 Corinthians 15:2 1 Corinthians 15:15

Mark 7:7 · BSB

They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’

Isaiah 1:13 · BSB

Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations— I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly.

Malachi 3:14 · BSB

You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the LORD of Hosts?

Matthew 15:9 · BSB

They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ ”

1 Corinthians 15:2 · BSB

By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:15 · BSB

In that case, we are also exposed as false witnesses about God. For we have testified about God that He raised Christ from the dead, but He did not raise Him if in fact the dead are not raised.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

25But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.

27Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Read James 1