• James 5:12
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 12 Πρὸ Before πάντων all (things) δέ, but, ἀδελφοί brothers μου, of me, μὴ not ὀμνύετε, be YOU swearing, μήτε neither τὸν the οὐρανὸν heaven μήτε nor τὴν the γῆν earth μήτε nor ἄλλον other τινὰ any ὅρκον· oath; ἤτω let it be δὲ but ὑμῶν of YOU τό the Ναί Yes ναὶ Yes καὶ and τό the Οὔ No οὔ, No, ἵνα in order that μὴ not ὑπὸ under κρίσιν judgment πέσητε. YOU might fall.

  • James 5:12
    The Bible in Living English

    • 12 And above all, my brothers, do not swear, neither by heaven nor by the earth nor any other oath; but let your yes be yes and your no no, that you may not come under judgment.

  • James 5:12
    American Standard Version

    • 12 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.

  • James 5:12
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 12 But before all things my brethren do not swear,—Either by heaven or by the earth or by any other oath; But let your Yea be yea, And your Nay nay,—Lest under judgment ye fall.

  • James 5:12
    King James Version

    • 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.

  • James Study Notes—Chapter 5
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 5:12

      Above all, my brothers, stop swearing: This admonition echoes what Jesus said about swearing, or oath-taking. Neither Jesus nor James meant that all oath-taking is wrong. Rather, disciples of Christ, who consistently speak the truth, do not need to strengthen their every statement or promise with an oath. (Mt 5:34 and study note; Eph 4:15, 25) James’ readers also needed to avoid the view held by some Jews that a person who swore “by heaven” or “by earth” could retract his oath later. (Mt 5:34 and study note, 35) By prefacing his exhortation to “stop swearing” with the expression “above all,” James emphasizes that his readers should give special attention to this matter.​—See also Mt 5:37 and study note.