James 3:4
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New International Version (©1984)
Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.

New Living Translation (©2007)
And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.

International Standard Version (©2008)
And look at ships! They are so big that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the helmsman directs.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
The same thing is true for ships. They are very big and are driven by strong winds. Yet, by using small rudders, pilots steer ships wherever they want them to go.

King James Bible
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.

American King James Version
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, wherever the governor wants.

American Standard Version
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.

Bible in Basic English
And again ships, though they are so great and are moved by violent winds, are turned by a very small guiding-blade, at the impulse of the man who is using it.

Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Darby Bible Translation
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.

English Revised Version
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.

Webster's Bible Translation
Behold also the ships, which though they are so great, and are driven by fierce winds, yet they are turned about with a very small helm, withersoever the governor willeth.

Weymouth New Testament
So too with ships, great as they are, and often driven along by strong gales, yet they can be steered with a very small rudder in whichever direction the caprice of the man at the helm chooses.

World English Bible
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.

Young's Literal Translation
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,

Geneva Study Bible

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.

People's New Testament

3:4 Behold also the ships. These are controlled by so small a thing as the helm.

The governor. Steersman (Revised Version); helmsman. James abounds in the sea figures. See Jas 1:6.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

4. Not only animals, but even ships.

the governor listeth-literally, "the impulse of the steersman pleaseth." The feeling which moves the tongue corresponds with this.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

3:1-12 We are taught to dread an unruly tongue, as one of the greatest evils. The affairs of mankind are thrown into confusion by the tongues of men. Every age of the world, and every condition of life, private or public, affords examples of this. Hell has more to do in promoting the fire of the tongue than men generally think; and whenever men's tongues are employed in sinful ways, they are set on fire of hell. No man can tame the tongue without Divine grace and assistance. The apostle does not represent it as impossible, but as extremely difficult. Other sins decay with age, this many times gets worse; we grow more froward and fretful, as natural strength decays, and the days come on in which we have no pleasure. When other sins are tamed and subdued by the infirmities of age, the spirit often grows more tart, nature being drawn down to the dregs, and the words used become more passionate. That man's tongue confutes itself, which at one time pretends to adore the perfections of God, and to refer all things to him; and at another time condemns even good men, if they do not use the same words and expressions. True religion will not admit of contradictions: how many sins would be prevented, if men would always be consistent! Pious and edifying language is the genuine produce of a sanctified heart; and none who understand Christianity, expect to hear curses, lies, boastings, and revilings from a true believer's mouth, any more than they look for the fruit of one tree from another. But facts prove that more professors succeed in bridling their senses and appetites, than in duly restraining their tongues. Then, depending on Divine grace, let us take heed to bless and curse not; and let us aim to be consistent in our words and actions.


James 3:3 Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.
James 3:5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! (NASB ©1995)

Although Big Caprice Chooses Desires Direction Directs Driven Example Fierce Governor Great Guided Impulse Moved Often Pilot Rough Rudder Ships Small Strong Turned Violent Wants Wherever Whichever Whither Whithersoever Willeth Winds


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.

are driven. Ps 107:25-27 Jon 1:4 Mt 8:24 Ac 27:14 *etc:

Bible Gateway: James Chapter 3 Verse 4 NIV ESV NKJV NLT KJV Message Amplified

Alphabetical: a also Although an and are as at by desires directed driven example go great inclination large Look of Or pilot rudder ships small so steered still strong take the they though to very wants wherever winds

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NT Letters: James 3:4 Behold the ships also though they (Ja Jas. Jam) Christian Bible Study Resources, Dictionary, Concordance and Search Tools

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