New Revised Standard NRS
New International Version NIV
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
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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 all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle.
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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 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide 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 Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
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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 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire!
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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. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself 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 species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be 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 no one can tame the tongue—a restless 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 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in 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 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not 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 a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water?
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Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, 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? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born 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 envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and 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 Such wisdom does not come 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 there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind.
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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, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.
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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 a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.
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Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, 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.