James 3:5 “In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts…”

James 3:5

In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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

World English Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Geneva Bible 1599

Euen so the tongue is a litle member, and boasteth of great things: beholde, howe great a thing a litle fire kindleth.

Darby Translation

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

Young's Literal Translation

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

Bible in Basic English

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!

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Cross references

“so”

Proverbs 18:21 Proverbs 12:18 Jeremiah 9:3–8 Proverbs 15:2 Psalm 17:10 Psalm 12:2–4

Proverbs 18:21 · BSB

Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 12:18 · BSB

Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Jeremiah 9:3–8 · BSB

“They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD.

Proverbs 15:2 · BSB

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

Psalm 17:10 · BSB

They have closed their callous hearts; their mouths speak with arrogance.

Psalm 12:2–4 · BSB

They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.

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

In context

4Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined.

6The 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 James 3