The Darby Translation DBY
New International Version NIV
1 Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive greater judgment.
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Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2 For we all often offend. If any one offend not in word, *he* [is] a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body too.
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We 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.
3 Behold, we put the bits in the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us, and we turn round their whole bodies.
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When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.
4 Behold also the ships, which are so great, and driven by violent winds, are turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the pleasure of the helmsman will.
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Or 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.
5 Thus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wood it kindles!
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Likewise, 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.
6 and the tongue [is] fire, the world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set in our members, the defiler of the whole body, and which sets fire to the course of nature, and is set on fire of hell.
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The 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.
7 For every species both of beasts and of birds, both of creeping things and of sea animals, is tamed and has been tamed by the human species;
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All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind,
8 but the tongue can no one among men tame; [it is] an unsettled evil, full of death-bringing poison.
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but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith bless we the Lord and Father, and therewith curse we men made after [the] likeness of God.
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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 goes forth blessing and cursing. It is not right, my brethren, that these things should be thus.
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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, out of the same opening, pour forth sweet and bitter?
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Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
12 Can, my brethren, a fig produce olives, or a vine figs? Neither [can] salt [water] make sweet water.
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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; let him shew out of a good conversation his works in 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 ye have bitter emulation and strife in your hearts, do not boast and lie against 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 is not the wisdom which comes down from above, but earthly, natural, devilish.
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Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 For where emulation and strife [are], there [is] disorder and every evil thing.
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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 first is pure, then peaceful, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, unquestioning, unfeigned.
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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 But [the] fruit of righteousness in peace is sown for them that make peace.
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Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
The Darby Translation 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.