| International Standard Version | New International Version |
| 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 of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. |
| 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. | 2We 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. |
| 3Now if we put bits into horses' mouths to make them obey us, we can guide their whole bodies as well. | 3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. |
| 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. | 4Or 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. |
| 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. | 5Likewise, 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. |
| 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. | 6The 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. |
| 7For all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures can be or have been tamed by humans, | 7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, |
| 8but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil filled with deadly poison. | 8but no human being 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 praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. |
| 10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. It should not be like this, my brothers! | 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. |
| 11A spring cannot pour both fresh and brackish water from the same opening, can it? | 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? |
| 12My brothers, a fig tree cannot produce olives, nor a grapevine figs, can it? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. | 12My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce 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 is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. |
| 14But if you have bitter jealousy and rivalry in your hearts, stop boasting and slandering the truth. | 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or 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 heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. |
| 16For wherever jealousy and rivalry exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. | 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find 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 that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. |
| 18And a harvest of righteousness is grown from the seed of peace planted by peacemakers. | 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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