James 5:12

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

And above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath. But let your“Yes” be yes and your“No” be no, so that you may not fall into judgment.

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • Matt 5:33-37 : 33 Oaths“Again, you have heard that it was said to an older generation,‘Do not break an oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not take oaths at all– not by heaven, because it is the throne of God, 35 not by earth, because it is his footstool, and not by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. 36 Do not take an oath by your head, because you are not able to make one hair white or black. 37 Let your word be‘Yes, yes’ or‘No, no.’ More than this is from the evil one.
  • 2 Cor 1:17-20 : 17 Therefore when I was planning to do this, I did not do so without thinking about what I was doing, did I? Or do I make my plans according to mere human standards so that I would be saying both“Yes, yes” and“No, no” at the same time? 18 But as God is faithful, our message to you is not“Yes” and“No.” 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, the one who was proclaimed among you by us– by me and Silvanus and Timothy– was not“Yes” and“No,” but it has always been“Yes” in him. 20 For every one of God’s promises are“Yes” in him; therefore also through him the“Amen” is spoken, to the glory we give to God.
  • 1 Cor 11:34 : 34 If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that when you assemble it does not lead to judgment. I will give directions about other matters when I come.
  • Matt 23:16-22 : 16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say,‘Whoever swears by the temple is bound by nothing. But whoever swears by the gold of the temple is bound by the oath.’ 17 Blind fools! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18 And,‘Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing. But if anyone swears by the gift on it he is bound by the oath.’ 19 You are blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and the one who dwells in it. 22 And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and the one who sits on it.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Matt 5:33-38
    6 verses
    83%

    33Oaths“Again, you have heard that it was said to an older generation,‘Do not break an oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’

    34But I say to you, do not take oaths at all– not by heaven, because it is the throne of God,

    35not by earth, because it is his footstool, and not by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King.

    36Do not take an oath by your head, because you are not able to make one hair white or black.

    37Let your word be‘Yes, yes’ or‘No, no.’ More than this is from the evil one.

    38Retaliation“You have heard that it was said,‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’

  • Lev 5:4
    75%

    4or when a person swears an oath, speaking thoughtlessly with his lips, whether to do evil or to do good, with regard to anything which the individual might speak thoughtlessly in an oath, even if he did not realize it, but he himself has later come to know it and is guilty with regard to one of these oaths–

  • Lev 19:11-12
    2 verses
    75%

    11Dealing Honestly“‘You must not steal, you must not tell lies, and you must not deal falsely with your fellow citizen.

    12You must not swear falsely in my name, so that you do not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.

  • Eccl 5:5-6
    2 verses
    74%

    5It is better for you not to vow than to vow and not pay it.

    6Do not let your mouth cause you to sin, and do not tell the priest,“It was a mistake!” Why make God angry at you so that he would destroy the work of your hands?”

  • 2 Cor 1:17-19
    3 verses
    73%

    17Therefore when I was planning to do this, I did not do so without thinking about what I was doing, did I? Or do I make my plans according to mere human standards so that I would be saying both“Yes, yes” and“No, no” at the same time?

    18But as God is faithful, our message to you is not“Yes” and“No.”

    19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, the one who was proclaimed among you by us– by me and Silvanus and Timothy– was not“Yes” and“No,” but it has always been“Yes” in him.

  • Jas 5:9
    73%

    9Do not grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be judged. See, the judge stands before the gates!

  • Heb 6:16
    73%

    16For people swear by something greater than themselves, and the oath serves as a confirmation to end all dispute.

  • Jas 3:10
    72%

    10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters.

  • Num 30:2
    72%

    2If a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath of binding obligation on himself, he must not break his word, but must do whatever he has promised.

  • Jas 4:11
    71%

    11Do not speak against one another, brothers and sisters. He who speaks against a fellow believer or judges a fellow believer speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but its judge.

  • Jas 3:1-2
    2 verses
    71%

    1The Power of the Tongue Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly.

    2For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well.

  • Matt 23:22
    71%

    22And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and the one who sits on it.

  • Eccl 5:2
    70%

    2(5:1) Do not be rash with your mouth or hasty in your heart to bring up a matter before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth! Therefore, let your words be few.

  • Matt 12:36-37
    2 verses
    70%

    36I tell you that on the day of judgment, people will give an account for every worthless word they speak.

    37For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

  • Zech 8:17
    70%

    17Do not plan evil in your hearts against one another. Do not favor a false oath– these are all things that I hate,’ says the LORD.

  • 1 Cor 6:7-8
    2 verses
    70%

    7The fact that you have lawsuits among yourselves demonstrates that you have already been defeated. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?

    8But you yourselves wrong and cheat, and you do this to your brothers and sisters!

  • Jas 1:19
    70%

    19Living Out the Message Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.

  • Jas 1:16
    70%

    16Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters.

  • Deut 5:11
    70%

    11You must not make use of the name of the LORD your God for worthless purposes, for the LORD will not exonerate anyone who abuses his name that way.

  • Eph 5:6
    70%

    6Live in the Light Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience.

  • Lev 5:1
    70%

    1Additional Sin Offering Regulations“‘When a person sins in that he hears a public curse against one who fails to testify and he is a witness(he either saw or knew what had happened) and he does not make it known, then he will bear his punishment for iniquity.

  • Zech 5:3
    69%

    3The speaker went on to say,“This is a curse traveling across the whole earth. For example, according to the curse whoever steals will be removed from the community; or on the other hand(according to the curse) whoever swears falsely will suffer the same fate.”

  • Matt 23:18
    69%

    18And,‘Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing. But if anyone swears by the gift on it he is bound by the oath.’

  • Ps 15:4
    69%

    4He despises a reprobate, but honors the LORD’s loyal followers. He makes firm commitments and does not renege on his promise.

  • Deut 5:20
    69%

    20You must not offer false testimony against another.

  • Jas 2:7
    69%

    7Do they not blaspheme the good name of the one you belong to?

  • Prov 30:6
    69%

    6Do not add to his words, lest he reprove you, and prove you to be a liar.

  • 1 Thess 4:6
    69%

    6In this matter no one should violate the rights of his brother or take advantage of him, because the Lord is the avenger in all these cases, as we also told you earlier and warned you solemnly.

  • Jer 5:2
    69%

    2These people make promises in the name of the LORD. But the fact is, what they swear to is really a lie.”

  • 1 Thess 5:15
    69%

    15See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.

  • Rom 3:4
    69%

    4Absolutely not! Let God be proven true, and every human being shown up as a liar, just as it is written:“so that you will be justified in your words and will prevail when you are judged.”

  • 1 Kgs 8:31
    69%

    31“When someone is accused of sinning against his neighbor and the latter pronounces a curse on the alleged offender before your altar in this temple, be willing to forgive the accused if the accusation is false.

  • Eccl 7:21
    69%

    21Also, do not pay attention to everything that people say; otherwise, you might even hear your servant cursing you.

  • Isa 65:16
    69%

    16Whoever pronounces a blessing in the earth will do so in the name of the faithful God; whoever makes an oath in the earth will do so in the name of the faithful God. For past problems will be forgotten; I will no longer think about them.

  • 1 Pet 3:9
    68%

    9Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing.

  • Matt 7:1
    68%

    1Do Not Judge“Do not judge so that you will not be judged.

  • Exod 20:16
    68%

    16“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

  • Jas 2:12
    68%

    12Speak and act as those who will be judged by a law that gives freedom.