Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
New International Version NIV
1 Be ye not many masters, my brethren, knowing that you receive the 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 in many things we all offend. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man. He is able also with a bridle to lead about the whole body.
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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 For if we put bits into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us: and we turn about their whole body.
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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 ships, whereas they are great and are driven by strong winds, yet are they turned about with a small helm, whithersoever the force of the governor willeth.
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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 Even so the tongue is indeed a little member and boasteth great things. Behold how small a fire kindleth a great wood.
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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 a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is placed among our members, which defileth the whole body and inflameth the wheel of our nativity, being set on fire by 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 nature of beasts and of birds and of serpents and of the rest is tamed and hath been tamed, by the nature of man.
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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 no man can tame, an unquiet evil, full of deadly poison.
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but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 By it we bless God and the Father: and by it we curse men who are 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 proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
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Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
11 Doth a fountain send forth, out of the same hole, sweet and bitter water?
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Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear grapes? Or the vine, figs? So neither can the salt water yield sweet.
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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 a wise man and endued with knowledge, among you? Let him shew, by a good contestation, his work 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 zeal, and there be contention in your hearts: glory not and be not liars 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 For this is not wisdom, descending from above: but earthly, sensual, devilish.
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Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 For where envying and contention is: there is inconstancy and every evil work.
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For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that is from above, first indeed is chaste, then peaceable, modest, easy to be persuaded, consenting to the good, full of mercy and good fruits, without judging, without dissimulation.
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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 justice is sown in peace, to them that make peace.
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Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
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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.