James 3:5

New International Reader's Version

In the same way, the tongue is a small part of a person’s body. But it talks big. Think about how a small spark can set a big forest on fire.

Cross References

Job 22:17

They said to God, ‘Leave us alone! What can you do to us, you Mighty One?’

Psalm 10:3

He brags about what his heart desires. He speaks well of those who always want more. He attacks the Lord with his words.

Psalm 17:10

They make their hearts hard and stubborn. Their mouths speak with pride.

Psalm 39:1

I said, “I will be careful about how I live. I will not sin by what I say. I will keep my mouth closed when I am near sinful people.”

Exodus 15:9

“Your enemies bragged, ‘We will chase Israel and will catch them. We’ll divide up what we take from them. We’ll eat them alive. We’ll pull our swords out. Our powerful hands will destroy them.’

Exodus 5:2

Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord? Why should I obey him? Why should I let Israel go? I don’t even know the Lord. And I won’t let Israel go.”

Proverbs 12:18

The words of thoughtless people cut like swords. But the tongue of wise people brings healing.

Proverbs 15:2

The tongues of wise people use knowledge well. But the mouths of foolish people pour out foolish words.

Proverbs 18:21

Your tongue has the power of life and death. Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words.

Proverbs 26:20

If you don’t have wood, your fire goes out. If you don’t talk about others, arguing dies down.

Jeremiah 18:18

They said, “Come on. Let’s make plans against Jeremiah. We’ll still have priests to teach us the law. We’ll always have wise people to give us advice. We’ll have prophets to bring us messages from the Lord. So come on. Let’s speak out against Jeremiah. We shouldn’t pay any attention to what he says.”

Ezekiel 28:2

“Son of man, speak to Ethbaal. He is the ruler of Tyre. Tell him, ‘The Lord and King says, “ ‘ “In your proud heart you say, ‘I am a god. I sit on the throne of a god in the Mediterranean Sea.’ But you are only a human being. You are not a god. In spite of that, you think you are as wise as a god.

Ezekiel 29:3

Tell him, ‘The Lord and King says, “ ‘ “Pharaoh Hophra, I am against you. King of Egypt, you are like a huge monster lying among your streams. You say, ‘The Nile River belongs to me. I made it for myself.’

Daniel 3:15

You will hear the horns, flutes, zithers, lyres, harps, pipes and other musical instruments. When you do, fall down and worship the statue I made. If you will, that’s very good. But if you won’t, you will be thrown at once into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to save you from my power?”

Daniel 4:30

He said, “Isn’t this the great Babylon I have built as a place for my royal palace? I used my mighty power to build it. It shows how glorious my majesty is.”

James 3:4

And how about ships? They are very big. They are driven along by strong winds. But they are steered by a very small rudder. It makes them go where the captain wants to go.

2 Peter 2:18

They speak empty, bragging words. They make their appeal to the evil desires that come from sin’s power. They tempt new believers who are just escaping from the company of sinful people.

Jude 1:16

These people complain and find fault with others. They follow their own evil desires. They brag about themselves. They praise others to get what they want.