James 3:8 bbe — But the tongue may not be controlled by man; it is an unresting evil, it is full of the poison of death.

Bible in Basic English

"But the tongue may not be controlled by man; it is an unresting evil, it is full of the poison of death."

— James 3:8, Bible in Basic English

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James 3:8 in Other Translations

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James 3 — Context

5

Even so the tongue is a small part of the body, but it takes credit for great things. How much wood may be lighted by a very little fire!

6

And the tongue is a fire; it is the power of evil placed in our bodies, making all the body unclean, putting the wheel of life on fire, and getting its fire from hell.

7

For every sort of beast and bird and every living thing on earth and in the sea has been controlled by man and is under his authority;

8

But the tongue may not be controlled by man; it is an unresting evil, it is full of the poison of death.

9

With it we give praise to our Lord and Father; and with it we put a curse on men who are made in God's image.

10

Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, it is not right for these things to be so.

11

Does the fountain send from the same outlet sweet and bitter water?

James 3:8 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does James 3:8 say?
James 3:8 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “But the tongue may not be controlled by man; it is an unresting evil, it is full of the poison of death.”
Where is James 3:8 in the Bible?
James 3:8 is found in the New Testament, in the book of James, chapter 3, verse 8.
Who wrote James?
James is traditionally attributed to James, half-brother of Jesus, leader of the Jerusalem church. It was written c. AD 44–49.
What is the book of James about?
James is the New Testament's closest cousin to Old-Testament wisdom literature — pungent, practical, and uncompromising. Faith without works is dead. The tongue is a fire. The prayers of a righteous man avail much. It calls Christians to walk their talk.
What are the major themes of James?
James explores themes including Faith and Works, Wisdom, Speech, Suffering, Prayer. These themes shape the meaning and context of James 3:8.
What translation should I read James 3:8 in?
James 3:8 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize James 3:8?
James 3:8 reads (BBE): “But the tongue may not be controlled by man; it is an unresting evil, it is full of the poison of death.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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