| New American Standard Bible 1995 | NET Bible |
| 1Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. | 1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly. |
| 2For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. | 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. |
| 3Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. | 3And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies. |
| 4Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. | 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. |
| 5So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! | 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. |
| 6And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. | 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. |
| 7For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. | 7For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is subdued and has been subdued by humankind. |
| 8But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. | 8But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. |
| 9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; | 9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God's image. |
| 10from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. | 10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters. |
| 11Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? | 11A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? |
| 12Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh. | 12Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a vine produce figs? Neither can a salt water spring produce fresh water. |
| 13Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. | 13Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. |
| 14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. | 14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth. |
| 15This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. | 15Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic. |
| 16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. | 16For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice. |
| 17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. | 17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical. |
| 18And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. | 18And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace. |
| New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org | NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. //netbible.com. Used by permission. All rights reserved. |
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