| New International Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. | 1Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment, |
| 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. | 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. |
| 3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. | 3Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, | 7Every sea creature, reptile, bird, or animal is tamed and has been tamed by man, |
| 8but no human being can tame 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 the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. | 9We praise our Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God's likeness with it. |
| 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. | 10Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way. |
| 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? | 11Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? |
| 12My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. | 12Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water. |
| 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. | 13Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom's gentleness. |
| 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. | 14But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't brag and deny the truth. |
| 15Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. | 15Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. |
| 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. | 16For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. |
| 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. | 17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. |
| 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. | 18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace. |
| 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. | Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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