New International Version NIV
Common English Bible CEB
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
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My brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers, because we know that we teachers will be judged more strictly.
2 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.
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We all make mistakes often, but those who don't make mistakes with their words have reached full maturity. Like a bridled horse, they can control themselves entirely.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.
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When we bridle horses and put bits in their mouths to lead them wherever we want, we can control their whole bodies.
4 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.
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Consider ships: They are so large that strong winds are needed to drive them. But pilots direct their ships wherever they want with a little rudder.
5 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.
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In the same way, even though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts wildly. Think about this: A small flame can set a whole forest on fire.
6 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.
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The tongue is a small flame of fire, a world of evil at work in us. It contaminates our entire lives. Because of it, the circle of life is set on fire. The tongue itself is set on fire by the flames of hell.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind,
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People can tame and already have tamed every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish.
8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
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No one can tame the tongue, though. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
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.
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With it we both bless the Lord and Father and curse human beings made in God's likeness.
10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
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Blessing and cursing come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, it just shouldn't be this way!
11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
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Both fresh water and salt water don't come from the same spring, do they?
12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
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My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree produce olives? Can a grapevine produce figs? Of course not, and fresh water doesn't flow from a saltwater spring either.
13 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.
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Are any of you wise and understanding? Show that your actions are good with a humble lifestyle that comes from wisdom.
14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
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However, if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, then stop bragging and living in ways that deny the truth.
15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
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This is not the wisdom that comes down from above. Instead, it is from the earth, natural and demonic.
16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
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Wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and everything that is evil.
17 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.
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What of the wisdom from above? First, it is pure, and then peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good actions, fair, and genuine.
18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
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Those who make peace sow the seeds of justice by their peaceful acts.
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.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible