| Holman Christian Standard Bible | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment, | 1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. |
| 2for we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body. | 2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. |
| 3Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal. | 3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal. |
| 4And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. | 4Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined. |
| 5So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites. | 5In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. |
| 6And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell. | 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. |
| 7Every sea creature, reptile, bird, or animal is tamed and has been tamed by man, | 7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, |
| 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. | 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. |
| 9We praise our Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God's likeness with it. | 9With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. |
| 10Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way. | 10Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! |
| 11Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? | 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? |
| 12Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water. | 12My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. |
| 13Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom's gentleness. | 13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. |
| 14But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't brag and deny the truth. | 14But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. |
| 15Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. | 15Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. |
| 16For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. | 16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice. |
| 17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. | 17But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. |
| 18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace. | 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness. |
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