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James 3:2-10 The Tongue and Wisdom

2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.

4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.

5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,

8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.

10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

Cross References for James 3:2-10

Romans 5:12 - Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one ma... Click to read the verse Romans 5:12 Click to read the verse Romans 5:12

Galatians 3:11 - Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” Click to read the verse Galatians 3:11 Click to read the verse Galatians 3:11

Ecclesiastes 7:20 - There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins. Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 7:20 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 7:20

Proverbs 20:9 - Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”? Click to read the verse Proverbs 20:9 Click to read the verse Proverbs 20:9

Galatians 6:1 - Doing Good to All Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore... Click to read the verse Galatians 6:1 Click to read the verse Galatians 6:1

1 John 1:8-10 - If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. Click to read the verse 1 John 1:8-10 Click to read the verse 1 John 1:8-10

Job 2:10 - He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not troub... Click to read the verse Job 2:10 Click to read the verse Job 2:10

1 John 1:8 - If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. Click to read the verse 1 John 1:8 Click to read the verse 1 John 1:8

Colossians 4:12 - Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestl... Click to read the verse Colossians 4:12 Click to read the verse Colossians 4:12

1 Peter 3:10 - For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips fro... Click to read the verse 1 Peter 3:10 Click to read the verse 1 Peter 3:10

Colossians 1:28 - We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present ever... Click to read the verse Colossians 1:28 Click to read the verse Colossians 1:28

Galatians 3:22 - But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised... Click to read the verse Galatians 3:22 Click to read the verse Galatians 3:22

Isaiah 64:6 - All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;... Click to read the verse Isaiah 64:6 Click to read the verse Isaiah 64:6

Romans 3:10 - As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; Click to read the verse Romans 3:10 Click to read the verse Romans 3:10

1 Corinthians 9:27 - No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will ... Click to read the verse 1 Corinthians 9:27 Click to read the verse 1 Corinthians 9:27

John 13:10 - Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is cle... Click to read the verse John 13:10 Click to read the verse John 13:10

Leviticus 13:6 - On the seventh day the priest is to examine him again, and if the sore has faded and has not sp... Click to read the verse Leviticus 13:6 Click to read the verse Leviticus 13:6

Leviticus 13:39 - the priest is to examine them, and if the spots are dull white, it is a harmless rash that has ... Click to read the verse Leviticus 13:39 Click to read the verse Leviticus 13:39

Galatians 5:17 - For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary t... Click to read the verse Galatians 5:17 Click to read the verse Galatians 5:17

James 2:10 - For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of... Click to read the verse James 2:10 Click to read the verse James 2:10

James 1:4 - Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Click to read the verse James 1:4 Click to read the verse James 1:4

Numbers 20:10 - He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Liste... Click to read the verse Numbers 20:10 Click to read the verse Numbers 20:10

James 1:26 - If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he dece... Click to read the verse James 1:26 Click to read the verse James 1:26

Philippians 3:12 - Pressing on Toward the Goal Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been mad... Click to read the verse Philippians 3:12 Click to read the verse Philippians 3:12

1 Peter 5:10 - And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffere... Click to read the verse 1 Peter 5:10 Click to read the verse 1 Peter 5:10

Philippians 3:9 - and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that whi... Click to read the verse Philippians 3:9 Click to read the verse Philippians 3:9

Ecclesiastes 5:2 - Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. Go... Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 5:2 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 5:2

Ecclesiastes 5:6 - Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow wa... Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 5:6 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 5:6

Acts 15:39 - They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for ... Click to read the verse Acts 15:39 Click to read the verse Acts 15:39

Proverbs 13:3 - He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. Click to read the verse Proverbs 13:3 Click to read the verse Proverbs 13:3

Psalms 17:3 - Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I... Click to read the verse Psalms 17:3 Click to read the verse Psalms 17:3

Hebrews 5:14 - But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish go... Click to read the verse Hebrews 5:14 Click to read the verse Hebrews 5:14

Hebrews 13:21 - equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to hi... Click to read the verse Hebrews 13:21 Click to read the verse Hebrews 13:21

Daniel 9:20 - The Seventy “Sevens” While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my peop... Click to read the verse Daniel 9:20 Click to read the verse Daniel 9:20

1 Kings 8:46 - “When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them ... Click to read the verse 1 Kings 8:46 Click to read the verse 1 Kings 8:46

2 Chronicles 6:36 - “When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them ... Click to read the verse 2 Chronicles 6:36 Click to read the verse 2 Chronicles 6:36

Galatians 2:11 - Paul Opposes Peter When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearl... Click to read the verse Galatians 2:11 Click to read the verse Galatians 2:11

Job 9:20 - Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would pronounce me ... Click to read the verse Job 9:20 Click to read the verse Job 9:20

Psalms 106:33 - for they rebelled against the Spirit of God, and rash words came from Moses’ lips. Click to read the verse Psalms 106:33 Click to read the verse Psalms 106:33

Job 6:24 - “Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong. Click to read the verse Job 6:24 Click to read the verse Job 6:24

Matthew 12:37 - For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Click to read the verse Matthew 12:37 Click to read the verse Matthew 12:37

Proverbs 10:19 - When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Click to read the verse Proverbs 10:19 Click to read the verse Proverbs 10:19

Psalms 34:13 - keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Click to read the verse Psalms 34:13 Click to read the verse Psalms 34:13

James 3:5-6 - Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a gre... Click to read the verse James 3:5-6 Click to read the verse James 3:5-6

Psalms 141:3 - Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Click to read the verse Psalms 141:3 Click to read the verse Psalms 141:3

Romans 7:15 - I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. Click to read the verse Romans 7:15 Click to read the verse Romans 7:15

1 Corinthians 2:6 - Wisdom From the Spirit We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the ... Click to read the verse 1 Corinthians 2:6 Click to read the verse 1 Corinthians 2:6

Proverbs 23:16 - my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. Click to read the verse Proverbs 23:16 Click to read the verse Proverbs 23:16

Proverbs 17:27 - A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Click to read the verse Proverbs 17:27 Click to read the verse Proverbs 17:27

Romans 7:23 - but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind ... Click to read the verse Romans 7:23 Click to read the verse Romans 7:23

Romans 7:21 - So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. Click to read the verse Romans 7:21 Click to read the verse Romans 7:21