The Bible in Basic English BBE
New International Version NIV
8 But the tongue may not be controlled by man; it is an unresting evil, it is full of the poison of death.
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but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we give praise to our Lord and Father; and with it we put a curse on men who are made in God's image.
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With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.
10 Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, it is not right for these things to be so.
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Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
11 Does the fountain send from the same outlet sweet and bitter water?
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Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
12 Is a fig-tree able to give us olives, my brothers, or do we get figs from a vine, or sweet water from the salt sea?
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My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
13 Who has wisdom and good sense among you? let him make his works clear by a life of gentle wisdom.
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Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter envy in your heart and the desire to get the better of others, have no pride in this, talking falsely against what is true.
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But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
15 This wisdom is not from heaven, but is of the earth and the flesh and the Evil One.
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Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 For where envy is, and the desire to get the better of others, there is no order, but every sort of evil-doing.
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For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom which is from heaven is first holy, then gentle, readily giving way in argument, full of peace and mercy and good works, not doubting, not seeming other than it is.
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But 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.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is planted in peace for those who make peace.
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Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.