{"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/web/james/3","llmTxt":"https://primebible.com/llms.txt","generatedAt":"2026-06-09T22:55:25.467Z"},"reference":{"translation":"WEB","book":"James","bookSlug":"james","chapter":3,"testament":"NEW"},"navigation":{"previousChapter":2,"nextChapter":4,"totalChapters":5,"totalVerses":18},"verses":[{"verseNumber":1,"text":"Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment."},{"verseNumber":2,"text":"For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn't stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also."},{"verseNumber":3,"text":"Indeed, we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body."},{"verseNumber":4,"text":"Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires."},{"verseNumber":5,"text":"So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!"},{"verseNumber":6,"text":"And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna."},{"verseNumber":7,"text":"For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind."},{"verseNumber":8,"text":"But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."},{"verseNumber":9,"text":"With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God."},{"verseNumber":10,"text":"Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so."},{"verseNumber":11,"text":"Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?"},{"verseNumber":12,"text":"Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water."},{"verseNumber":13,"text":"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom."},{"verseNumber":14,"text":"But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth."},{"verseNumber":15,"text":"This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic."},{"verseNumber":16,"text":"For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed."},{"verseNumber":17,"text":"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."},{"verseNumber":18,"text":"Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."}],"citation":{"inline":"James 3 (WEB)","markdown":"[James 3](https://primebible.com/web/james/3)","sbl":"Prime Bible. *The Bible.* WEB. https://primebible.com/web/james/3 (accessed 2026-06-09)."}}