King James Version KJV
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
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Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness.
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
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For we all make many mistakes, and if any one makes no mistakes in what he says he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
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If we put bits into the mouths of horses that they may obey us, we guide their whole bodies.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
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Look at the ships also; though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
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So the tongue is a little member and boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
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And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature, and set on fire by hell.
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
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For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by humankind,
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
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but no human being can tame the tongue--a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
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With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
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From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be so.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
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Does a spring pour forth from the same opening fresh water and brackish?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
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Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
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Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good life let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
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But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
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This wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
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For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
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But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
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And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
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.