James 3:3
Good News Translation
We put a bit into the mouth of a horse to make it obey us, and we are able to make it go where we want.

New Revised Standard Version
If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies.

Contemporary English Version
By putting a bit into the mouth of a horse, we can turn the horse in different directions.

New American Bible
If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide their whole bodies.

Douay-Rheims Bible
For if we put bits into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us: and we turn about their whole body.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

For if we put bits into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us: and we turn about their whole body.

James 1:26 And if any man think himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue but deceiving his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

2 Kings 19:28 Thou hast been mad against me, and thy pride hath come up to my ears: therefore I will put a ring in thy nose, and a bit between thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.

Psalm 32:9 Do not become like the horse and the mule, who have no understanding. With bit and bridle bind fast their jaws, who come not near unto thee.

Psalm 39:1 Unto the end, for Idithun himself, a canticle of David. [2] I said: I will take heed to my ways: that I sin not with my tongue. I have set a guard to my mouth, when the sinner stood against me.

Isaiah 37:29 When thou wast mad against me, thy pride came up to my ears: therefore I will put a ring in thy nose, and a bit between thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.

Context
Taming the Tongue
2For 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. 3For if we put bits into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us: and we turn about their whole body. 4Behold 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.…
Cross References
Psalm 32:9
Do not become like the horse and the mule, who have no understanding. With bit and bridle bind fast their jaws, who come not near unto thee.

James 3:4
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.

James 3:2
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