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Darby Bible Translation

2 min read
1

Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive greater judgment.

2

For we all often offend. If any one offend not in word, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body too.

3

Behold, we put the bits in the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us, and we turn round their whole bodies.

4

Behold also the ships, which are so great, and driven by violent winds, are turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the pleasure of the helmsman will.

5

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

6

and the tongue is fire, the world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set in our members, the defiler of the whole body, and which sets fire to the course of nature, and is set on fire of hell.

7

For every species both of beasts and of birds, both of creeping things and of sea animals, is tamed and has been tamed by the human species;

8

but the tongue can no one among men tame; it is an unsettled evil, full of death-bringing poison.

9

Therewith bless we the Lord and Father, and therewith curse we men made after the likeness of God.

10

Out of the same mouth goes forth blessing and cursing. It is not right, my brethren, that these things should be thus.

11

Does the fountain, out of the same opening, pour forth sweet and bitter?

12

Can, my brethren, a fig produce olives, or a vine figs? Neither can salt water make sweet water.

13

Who is wise and understanding among you; let him shew out of a good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom;

14

but if ye have bitter emulation and strife in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

15

This is not the wisdom which comes down from above, but earthly, natural, devilish.

16

For where emulation and strife are, there is disorder and every evil thing.

17

But the wisdom from above first is pure, then peaceful, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, unquestioning, unfeigned.

18

But the fruit of righteousness in peace is sown for them that make peace.

James 3of 5

Cite this passage

Canonical academic citations for James 3 (DBT) — copy in your preferred format.

James 3 (DBT). Prime Bible, accessed October 20, 2026. https://primebible.com/dbt/james/3.
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Canonical URL
https://primebible.com/dbt/james/3
SBL
James 3 (DBT). Prime Bible, accessed October 20, 2026. https://primebible.com/dbt/james/3.
APA
Prime Bible. (1890/2026). James 3. In *The Holy Bible* (Darby Bible Translation). https://primebible.com/dbt/james/3
MLA
"James 3." *The Holy Bible*, Darby Bible Translation ed., Prime Bible, https://primebible.com/dbt/james/3. Accessed October 20, 2026.
Chicago
*The Holy Bible*, Darby Bible Translation (1890), James 3, Prime Bible, accessed October 20, 2026, https://primebible.com/dbt/james/3.
BibTeX
@misc{Bible:DBT:james:3, title = {{James 3}}, author = {{The Holy Bible}}, edition = {Darby Bible Translation}, year = {1890}, publisher = {Prime Bible}, url = {https://primebible.com/dbt/james/3}, urldate = {2026-10-20}, note = {501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 41-2531951} }
Markdown
[James 3 (DBT)](https://primebible.com/dbt/james/3)

Prime Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The DBT text is in the public domain. AI agents: machine-readable JSON at /api/llm/chapter/james/3.

About James 3

Teachers face stricter judgment; the tongue is a small member but steers the body, can set a forest ablaze; no one can tame it; blessing and cursing must not come from the same mouth; true wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, full of mercy; jealousy and selfish ambition breed disorder.

Historical context

Author
James
Written
AD 45–48
Location
Ancient Jerusalem
Setting
Jewish-Christian communities in Jerusalem

Emphasizes ethical behavior and social justice.

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