James 3:4

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James 3:2–6 · Berean Standard Bible

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

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

4 Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined.

5 In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.

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

Greek words

Data created by STEPBible.org based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).

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Cross-references

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.

Psalms 107:25

For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea.

Psalms 107:26

They mounted up to the heavens, then sunk to the depths; their courage melted in their anguish.

Psalms 107:27

They reeled and staggered like drunkards, and all their skill was useless.

Jonah 1:4

Then the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship was in danger of breaking apart.

Matthew 8:24

Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was engulfed by the waves; but Jesus was sleeping.

Acts 27:14

But it was not long before a cyclone called the Northeaster swept down across the island.

Acts 27:15

Unable to head into the wind, the ship was caught up. So we gave way and let ourselves be driven along.

Acts 27:16

Passing to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we barely managed to secure the lifeboat.

Acts 27:17

After hoisting it up, the crew used ropes to undergird the ship. And fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and were driven along.

Acts 27:18

We were tossed so violently that the next day the men began to jettison the cargo.

Acts 27:19

On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.

Acts 27:20

When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the great storm continued to batter us, we abandoned all hope of being saved.

Acts 27:21

After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete. Then you would have averted this disaster and loss.

Acts 27:22

But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because you will not experience any loss of life, but only of the ship.

Acts 27:23

For just last night an angel of God, whose I am and whom I serve, stood beside me

Acts 27:24

and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And look, God has granted you the lives of all who sail with you.’

Acts 27:25

So take courage, men, for I believe God that it will happen just as He told me.

Acts 27:26

However, we must run aground on some island.”

Acts 27:27

On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea. About midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land.

Acts 27:28

They took soundings and found that the water was twenty fathoms deep. Going a little farther, they took another set of soundings that read fifteen fathoms.

Acts 27:29

Fearing that we would run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daybreak.

Acts 27:30

Meanwhile, the sailors attempted to escape from the ship. Pretending to lower anchors from the bow, they let the lifeboat down into the sea.

Acts 27:31

But Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men remain with the ship, you cannot be saved.”

Acts 27:32

So the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and set it adrift.

Acts 27:33

Right up to daybreak, Paul kept urging them all to eat: “Today is your fourteenth day in constant suspense, without taking any food.

Acts 27:34

So for your own preservation, I urge you to eat something, because not a single hair of your head will be lost.”

Acts 27:35

After he had said this, Paul took bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.

Acts 27:36

They were all encouraged and took some food themselves.

Acts 27:37

In all, there were 276 of us on board.

Acts 27:38

After the men had eaten their fill, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.