James 3:9

We use our tongue to praise God, who is our Lord and Father, but we also use our same tongue to ask God to say evil things to people. That is very wrong! God made people like himself, so we should speak as respectfully to others as we speak to God.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

In Context

8no person ◄ on his own/by himself► is able to control what he says [MTY]. And when people say evil things, it shows that they are unstable/uncontrolled and wicked [MTY]. As the poison of a snake kills people [MTY], we harm others [MET] by what we say.

10We praise God, but with our same mouth we also ask for evil things to happen to others. My fellow believers, this should not be!

Read all of James 3

Cross References

Genesis 1:26Then God said, “Now we will make human beings that will be like us in many ways. I want them to rule over the fish in the sea, over the birds, over all the ◄livestock/domestic animals►, and over all the other creatures that scurry across the ground.”

Genesis 9:6I made people to be like myself in many ways. So someone who murders another human being must be executed by others, because he killed someone who is like me.

2 Samuel 16:5When King David and those with him arrived at Bahurim town, a man named Shimei met him. Shimei, whose father was Gera, was one of Saul’s relatives. Shimei was cursing David as he approached.

1 Chronicles 29:10Then, while all the people there were listening, David prayed, saying, “We praise you, Yahweh, the God whom our ancestor Jacob worshiped. We will praise you forever!

Psalms 10:7When they talk [MTY], they are always cursing, lying, and threatening to harm others. They constantly say [MTY] evil things that show that they are ready to do cruel things to others.

Psalms 30:12So I will not be silent; I will sing out loudly to praise you. Yahweh, you are my God, and I will thank you forever.

Matthew Henry on James 3:2-13

Government of the Tongue. ( a. d. 61.) 1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2 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. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 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,… Read the whole commentary →

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