James 3 – Compare Chapter Translations
Verse-by-verse comparison of James 3 across supported Bible translations.
Verse 1
KJV My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
ASV Be not many [of you] teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.
WEB Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
YLT Many teachers become not, my brethren, having known that greater judgment we shall receive,
DRB Be ye not many masters, my brethren, knowing that you receive the greater judgment.
DBY Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive greater judgment.
GNV My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receiue the greater condemnation.
LSB Do not, many of you, become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment.
Verse 2
KJV For 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.
ASV For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.
WEB For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn’t stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.
YLT for we all make many stumbles; if any one in word doth not stumble, this one <FI>is<Fi> a perfect man, able to bridle also the whole body;
DRB For in many things we all offend. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man. He is able also with a bridle to lead about the whole body.
DBY For we all often offend. If any one offend not in word, *he* [is] a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body too.
GNV For in many things we sinne all. If any man sinne not in word, he is a perfect man, and able to bridle all the body.
LSB For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the entire body as well.
Verse 3
KJV Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
ASV Now if we put the horses` bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.
WEB Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.
YLT lo, the bits we put into the mouths of the horses for their obeying us, and their whole body we turn about;
DRB For if we put bits into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us: and we turn about their whole body.
DBY Behold, we put the bits in the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us, and we turn round their whole bodies.
GNV Beholde, we put bittes into the horses mouthes, that they should obey vs, and we turne about all their bodie.
LSB Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.
Verse 4
KJV Behold 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.
ASV Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth.
WEB Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.
YLT lo, also the ships, being so great, and by fierce winds being driven, are led about by a very small helm, whithersoever the impulse of the helmsman doth counsel,
DRB Behold also ships, whereas they are great and are driven by strong winds, yet are they turned about with a small helm, whithersoever the force of the governor willeth.
DBY 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.
GNV Behold also the shippes, which though they be so great, and are driuen of fierce windes, yet are they turned about with a very small rudder, whither soeuer the gouernour listeth.
LSB Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, they are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot wills.
Verse 5
KJV Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
ASV So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!
WEB So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!
YLT so also the tongue is a little member, and doth boast greatly; lo, a little fire how much wood it doth kindle!
DRB Even so the tongue is indeed a little member and boasteth great things. Behold how small a fire kindleth a great wood.
DBY Thus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wood it kindles!
GNV Euen so the tongue is a litle member, and boasteth of great things: beholde, howe great a thing a litle fire kindleth.
LSB So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
Verse 6
KJV And 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.
ASV And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell.
WEB And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.
YLT and the tongue <FI>is<Fi> a fire, the world of the unrighteousness, so the tongue is set in our members, which is spotting our whole body, and is setting on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by the gehenna.
DRB And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is placed among our members, which defileth the whole body and inflameth the wheel of our nativity, being set on fire by hell.
DBY 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.
GNV And the tongue is fire, yea, a worlde of wickednesse: so is the tongue set 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.
LSB And the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our existence, and is set on fire by hell.
Verse 7
KJV For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
ASV For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind.
WEB For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind;
YLT For every nature, both of beasts and of fowls, both of creeping things and things of the sea, is subdued, and hath been subdued, by the human nature,
DRB For every nature of beasts and of birds and of serpents and of the rest is tamed and hath been tamed, by the nature of man.
DBY 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;
GNV For the whole nature of beasts, and of birds, and of creeping things, and things of the sea is tamed, and hath bene tamed of the nature of man.
LSB For every kind of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.
Verse 8
KJV But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
ASV But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] a restless evil, [it is] full of deadly poison.
WEB but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
YLT and the tongue no one of men is able to subdue, <FI>it is<Fi> an unruly evil, full of deadly poison,
DRB But the tongue no man can tame, an unquiet evil, full of deadly poison.
DBY but the tongue can no one among men tame; [it is] an unsettled evil, full of death-bringing poison.
GNV But the tongue can no man tame. It is an vnruly euill, full of deadly poyson.
LSB But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
Verse 9
KJV Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
ASV Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God:
WEB With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God.
YLT with it we do bless the God and Father, and with it we do curse the men made according to the similitude of God;
DRB By it we bless God and the Father: and by it we curse men who are made after the likeness of God.
DBY Therewith bless we the Lord and Father, and therewith curse we men made after [the] likeness of God.
GNV Therewith blesse we God euen the Father, and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
LSB With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God.
Verse 10
KJV Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
ASV out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
WEB Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
YLT out of the same mouth doth come forth blessing and cursing; it doth not need, my brethren, these things so to happen;
DRB Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
DBY Out of the same mouth goes forth blessing and cursing. It is not right, my brethren, that these things should be thus.
GNV Out of one mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing: my brethren, these things ought not so to be.
LSB From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
Verse 11
KJV Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
ASV Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet [water] and bitter?
WEB Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
YLT doth the fountain out of the same opening pour forth the sweet and the bitter?
DRB Doth a fountain send forth, out of the same hole, sweet and bitter water?
DBY Does the fountain, out of the same opening, pour forth sweet and bitter?
GNV Doeth a fountaine send forth at one place sweete water and bitter?
LSB Does a fountain pour forth from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
Verse 12
KJV Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
ASV Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? Neither [can] salt water yield sweet.
WEB Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.
YLT is a fig-tree able, my brethren, olives to make? or a vine figs? so no fountain salt and sweet water <FI>is able<Fi> to make.
DRB Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear grapes? Or the vine, figs? So neither can the salt water yield sweet.
DBY Can, my brethren, a fig produce olives, or a vine figs? Neither [can] salt [water] make sweet water.
GNV Can ye figge tree, my brethren, bring forth oliues, either a vine figges? so can no fountaine make both salt water and sweete.
LSB Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can saltwater produce fresh.
Verse 13
KJV Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
ASV Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom.
WEB Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
YLT Who <FI>is<Fi> wise and intelligent among you? let him shew out of the good behaviour his works in meekness of wisdom,
DRB Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge, among you? Let him shew, by a good contestation, his work in the meekness of wisdom.
DBY Who [is] wise and understanding among you; let him shew out of a good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom;
GNV Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew by good conuersation his workes in meekenesse of wisdome.
LSB Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good conduct his works in the gentleness of wisdom.
Verse 14
KJV But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
ASV But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.
WEB But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.
YLT and if bitter zeal ye have, and rivalry in your heart, glory not, nor lie against the truth;
DRB But if you have bitter zeal, and there be contention in your hearts: glory not and be not liars against the truth.
DBY but if ye have bitter emulation and strife in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
GNV But if ye haue bitter enuying and strife in your hearts, reioyce not, neither be liars against the trueth.
LSB But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.
Verse 15
KJV This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
ASV This wisdom is not [a wisdom] that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
WEB This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
YLT this wisdom is not descending from above, but earthly, physical, demon-like,
DRB For this is not wisdom, descending from above: but earthly, sensual, devilish.
DBY This is not the wisdom which comes down from above, but earthly, natural, devilish.
GNV This wisedome descendeth not from aboue, but is earthly, sensuall, and deuilish.
LSB This wisdom is not coming down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.
Verse 16
KJV For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
ASV For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed.
WEB For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
YLT for where zeal and rivalry <FI>are<Fi> , there is insurrection and every evil matter;
DRB For where envying and contention is: there is inconstancy and every evil work.
DBY For where emulation and strife [are], there [is] disorder and every evil thing.
GNV For where enuying and strife is, there is sedition, and all maner of euill workes.
LSB For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil practice.
Verse 17
KJV But 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.
ASV But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.
WEB But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
YLT and the wisdom from above, first, indeed, is pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily entreated, full of kindness and good fruits, uncontentious, and unhypocritical: --
DRB But the wisdom that is from above, first indeed is chaste, then peaceable, modest, easy to be persuaded, consenting to the good, full of mercy and good fruits, without judging, without dissimulation.
DBY But the wisdom from above first is pure, then peaceful, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, unquestioning, unfeigned.
GNV But the wisedome that is from aboue, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easie to be intreated, full of mercie and good fruites, without iudging, and without hipocrisie.
LSB But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruits, without doubting, without hypocrisy.
Verse 18
KJV And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
ASV And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace.
WEB Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
YLT and the fruit of the righteousness in peace is sown to those making peace.
DRB And the fruit of justice is sown in peace, to them that make peace.
DBY But [the] fruit of righteousness in peace is sown for them that make peace.
GNV And the fruite of righteousnesse is sowen in peace, of them that make peace.
LSB And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.