Revised Standard Version RSV
New International Version NIV
8 but no human being can tame the tongue--a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
8
but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God.
9
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 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be so.
10
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening fresh water and brackish?
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Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
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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 is wise and understanding among you? By his good life let him show his works in the meekness of 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 jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
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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 such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish.
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Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
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For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity.
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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 harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
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Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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.