{"meta":{"source":"Prime Bible","sourceUrl":"https://primebible.com","license":"Public domain (translation text); see citation policy at /citation-policy","organization":"501(c)(3) nonprofit — EIN 41-2531951","canonicalUrl":"https://primebible.com/kjv/james/3","llmTxt":"https://primebible.com/llms.txt","generatedAt":"2026-05-29T18:06:17.029Z"},"reference":{"translation":"KJV","book":"James","bookSlug":"james","chapter":3,"testament":"NEW"},"navigation":{"previousChapter":2,"nextChapter":4,"totalChapters":5,"totalVerses":18},"verses":[{"verseNumber":1,"text":"My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation."},{"verseNumber":2,"text":"For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same <i>is</i> a perfect man, <i>and</i> able also to bridle the whole body."},{"verseNumber":3,"text":"Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body."},{"verseNumber":4,"text":"Behold also the ships, which though <i>they be</i> so great, and <i>are</i> driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth."},{"verseNumber":5,"text":"Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!"},{"verseNumber":6,"text":"And the tongue <i>is</i> a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell."},{"verseNumber":7,"text":"For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:"},{"verseNumber":8,"text":"But the tongue can no man tame; <i>it is</i> an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."},{"verseNumber":9,"text":"Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God."},{"verseNumber":10,"text":"Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be."},{"verseNumber":11,"text":"Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet <i>water</i> and bitter?"},{"verseNumber":12,"text":"Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so <i>can</i> no fountain both yield salt water and fresh."},{"verseNumber":13,"text":"Who <i>is</i> a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom."},{"verseNumber":14,"text":"But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth."},{"verseNumber":15,"text":"This wisdom descendeth not from above, but <i>is</i> earthly, sensual, devilish."},{"verseNumber":16,"text":"For where envying and strife <i>is</i>, there <i>is</i> confusion and every evil work."},{"verseNumber":17,"text":"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, <i>and</i> easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."},{"verseNumber":18,"text":"And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."}],"citation":{"inline":"James 3 (KJV)","markdown":"[James 3](https://primebible.com/kjv/james/3)","sbl":"Prime Bible. *The Bible.* KJV. https://primebible.com/kjv/james/3 (accessed 2026-05-29)."}}