5Likewise 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.


In Context

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,

James 3:5 in Other Translations

The King James Version of the Holy Bible

3:5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

The Douay-Rheims Version of the Holy Bible

3:5Even so the tongue is indeed a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how small a fire kindleth a great wood.

The American Standard Version of the Holy Bible

3:5So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!

The Darby Bible Translation of the Holy Bible

3:5Thus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wood it kindles!

The English Revised Version of the Holy Bible

3:5So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!

The Webster Bible Translation of the Holy Bible

3:5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

The World English Bible Translation of the Holy Bible

3:5So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!

The Young's Literal Translation of the Holy Bible

3:5so also the tongue is a little member, and doth boast greatly; lo, a little fire how much wood it doth kindle!

The American King James Version of the Holy Bible

3:5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindles!