| NET Bible | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly. | 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 someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well. | 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. |
| 3And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies. | 3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal. |
| 4Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot's inclination 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 the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze. | 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 represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence--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. |
| 7For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is subdued and has been subdued by humankind. | 7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, |
| 8But no human being can subdue 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. |
| 9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God's image. | 9With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. |
| 10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters. | 10Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! |
| 11A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? | 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? |
| 12Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a vine produce figs? Neither can a salt water spring produce 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 understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. | 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 jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against 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, natural, demonic. | 15Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. |
| 16For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice. | 16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice. |
| 17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical. | 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 that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace. | 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness. |
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