| English Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. | 1Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment, |
| 2For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. | 2for we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body. |
| 3If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. | 3Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal. |
| 4Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. | 4And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. |
| 5So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! | 5So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites. |
| 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. | 6And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell. |
| 7For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, | 7Every sea creature, reptile, bird, or animal is tamed and has been tamed by man, |
| 8but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. | 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. |
| 9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. | 9We praise our Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God's likeness with it. |
| 10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. | 10Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way. |
| 11Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? | 11Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? |
| 12Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. | 12Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water. |
| 13Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. | 13Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom's gentleness. |
| 14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. | 14But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't brag and deny the truth. |
| 15This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. | 15Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. |
| 16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. | 16For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. |
| 17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. | 17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. |
| 18And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. | 18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace. |
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