| Holman Christian Standard Bible | Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment, | 1Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment. |
| 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. | 2For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body. |
| 3Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal. | 3Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we direct their whole bodies. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 5So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. |
| 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. | 6And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of 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, | 7Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish is tamed and has been tamed by humankind, |
| 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. | 8but no one 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 people who are made in God's likeness. |
| 10Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way. | 10Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. |
| 11Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? | 11Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? |
| 12Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water. | 12Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water. |
| 13Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom's gentleness. | 13Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness 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 have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and deny the truth. |
| 15Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. | 15Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. |
| 16For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. | 16For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is 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 pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. |
| 18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace. | 18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace. |
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