| International Standard Version | Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more severely than others. | 1Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment. |
| 2For all of us make many mistakes. If someone does not make any mistakes when he speaks, he is perfect and able to control his whole body. | 2For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body. |
| 3Now if we put bits into horses' mouths to make them obey us, we can guide their whole bodies as well. | 3Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we direct their whole bodies. |
| 4And look at ships! They are so big that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the helmsman 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. |
| 5In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it can boast of great achievements. A huge forest can be set on fire by a little flame. | 5So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. |
| 6The tongue is a fire, a world of evil. Placed among the parts of our bodies, the tongue contaminates the whole body and sets on fire the course of life, and is itself set on fire by hell. | 6And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. |
| 7For all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures can be or have been tamed by humans, | 7Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish is tamed and has been tamed by humankind, |
| 8but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil filled with deadly poison. | 8but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. |
| 9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in God's likeness. | 9With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God's likeness. |
| 10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. It should not be like this, my brothers! | 10Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. |
| 11A spring cannot pour both fresh and brackish water from the same opening, can it? | 11Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? |
| 12My brothers, a fig tree cannot produce olives, nor a grapevine figs, can it? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. | 12Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water. |
| 13Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his noble conduct that his actions are done humbly and wisely. | 13Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. |
| 14But if you have bitter jealousy and rivalry in your hearts, stop boasting and slandering the truth. | 14But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and deny the truth. |
| 15That kind of wisdom does not come from above. No, it is worldly, self-centered, and demonic. | 15Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. |
| 16For wherever jealousy and rivalry exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. | 16For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. |
| 17However, the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, willing to yield, full of compassion and good deeds, and without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. | 17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. |
| 18And a harvest of righteousness is grown from the seed of peace planted by peacemakers. | 18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace. |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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