| NET Bible | New International Version |
| 1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly. | 1Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. |
| 2For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well. | 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. |
| 3And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies. | 3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. |
| 4Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot's inclination 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. |
| 5So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze. | 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. |
| 6And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence--and is 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 every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is subdued and has been subdued by humankind. | 7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, |
| 8But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of 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 people made in God's image. | 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. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters. | 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. |
| 11A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? | 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? |
| 12Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a vine produce figs? Neither can a salt water 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 is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. | 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 selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth. | 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. |
| 15Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic. | 15Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. |
| 16For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice. | 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. |
| 17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical. | 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 the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace. | 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. |
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