| Holman Christian Standard Bible | New International Version |
| 1Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment, | 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. 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. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. |
| 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 turn 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. | 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 too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites. | 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. 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 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. |
| 7Every sea creature, reptile, bird, or animal is tamed and has been tamed by man, | 7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, |
| 8but no man 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. |
| 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 praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, 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 praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, 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 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 has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom's gentleness. | 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 envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't brag and deny the truth. | 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. |
| 15Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. | 15Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. |
| 16For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. | 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 peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. | 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 the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace. | 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. |
| Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | 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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