- 1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
- 2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
- 3Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
- 4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
- 5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
- 6And the tongue is 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.
- 7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
- 8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
- 9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
- 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
- 11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
- 12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
- 13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
- 14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
- 15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
- 16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
- 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
- 18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
KING JAMES VERSION
JAMES 3
Read the chapter, follow a linked verse, and continue into related Watchman 33 teaching.
CHAPTER VISUAL
James 3 — Small instruments reveal the tongue’s immense power, while wisdom from above produces gentleness, mercy, peace, and righteous fruit.
About this illustration
The ship, rudder, bridled horse, spark, spring, orchard, teacher, and peacemakers share one symbolic harbor landscape. The fire is contained, and the tongue and poison remain metaphors rather than surreal or graphic objects.
Scripture basis: James 3:1–18King James Version · Standardized 1769 text with Strong’s numbering · Public domain outside the United Kingdom
EXPLORE THE MESSAGE
Related Watchman 33 Resources
Archaeological Evidence
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
3rd–4th century
Papyrus P100: James 3:13–4:4 and 4:9–5:1
P.Oxy. LXV 4449, Gregory-Aland P100, is a third- or fourth-century Oxyrhynchus codex leaf preserving a broad ethical sequence in James and early page numbers 6–7.
James 3:13–18 · James 4:1–4 · James 4:9–17
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
Late third century AD (palaeographic date)
Papyrus P20: James 2:19–3:9 from Oxyrhynchus
Papyrus P20 is a late-third-century Greek papyrus leaf from Oxyrhynchus preserving James 2:19–3:9. Princeton University Library holds it as AM 4117/P.Oxy. IX 1171. Its damaged twenty-line sides witness James's discussion of faith, Abraham, Rahab, teachers, and the dangerous power of the tongue.
James 2:19–26 · James 3:1–9
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
fifth–sixth century AD (palaeographic estimate)
Papyrus P54: James 2:16–3:4
P. Princeton II 15, Gregory-Aland P54, comprises two fifth- or sixth-century Greek papyrus fragments preserving portions of James 2 on faith and works and James 3 on speech.
James 2:16–18 · James 2:22–26 · James 3:2–4
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The Heart of Mankind - Part 2: The Idol of Self
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Doctrine and DiscernmentChristian LivingSpiritual Warfare
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