| New King James Version | King James Bible |
| 1My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. | 1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. |
| 2For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. | 2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. |
| 3Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. | 3Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. |
| 4Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. | 4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. |
| 5Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! | 5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! |
| 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. | 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. |
| 7For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. | 7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: |
| 8But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. | 8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. |
| 9With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. | 9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. |
| 10Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. | 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. |
| 11Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? | 11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? |
| 12Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. | 12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. |
| 13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. | 13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. |
| 14But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. | 14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. |
| 15This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. | 15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. |
| 16For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. | 16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. |
| 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. | 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. |
| 18Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. | 18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com. |
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