| English Standard Version | New International Version |
| 1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. | 1Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. |
| 2For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. | 2We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. |
| 3If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. | 3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. |
| 4Look 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. | 4Or 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. |
| 5So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! | 5Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. |
| 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. | 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. |
| 7For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, | 7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, |
| 8but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. | 8but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. |
| 9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. | 9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. |
| 10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. | 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. |
| 11Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? | 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? |
| 12Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. | 12My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. |
| 13Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. | 13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. |
| 14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. | 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. |
| 15This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. | 15Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. |
| 16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. | 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. |
| 17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. | 17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. |
| 18And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. | 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. |
| ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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