James 5:12

¶ But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and [your] nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

But {G1161} above {G4253} all things {G3956}, my {G3450} brethren {G80}, swear {G3660} not {G3361}, neither {G3383} by heaven {G3772}, neither {G3383} by the earth {G1093}, neither {G3383} by any {G5100} other {G243} oath {G3727}: but {G1161} let {G2277} your {G5216} yea {G3483} be {G2277} yea {G3483}; and {G2532} your nay {G3756}, nay {G3756}; lest {G3363} ye fall {G4098} into {G1519} condemnation {G5272}.

Above all, brothers, stop swearing oaths — not “By heaven,” not “By the earth,” and not by any other formula; rather, let your “Yes” be simply “Yes” and your “No” simply “No,” so that you won’t fall under condemnation.

Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.

But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by the heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath: but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; that ye fall not under judgment.

Commentary

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Cross-References

  • Matthew 5:33 (29 votes)

    Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

  • Matthew 5:37 (29 votes)

    But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

  • Matthew 23:16 (7 votes)

    Woe unto you, [ye] blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

  • Matthew 23:22 (7 votes)

    And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:17 (5 votes)

    When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?

  • 2 Corinthians 1:20 (5 votes)

    For all the promises of God in him [are] yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

  • 1 Peter 4:8 (-1 votes)

    And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.