| New King James Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. | 1Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment, |
| 2For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the 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. |
| 3Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. | 3Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal. |
| 4Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. | 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. |
| 5Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! | 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 iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is 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 creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. | 7Every sea creature, reptile, bird, or animal is tamed and has been tamed by man, |
| 8But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly 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 God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. | 9We praise our Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God's likeness with it. |
| 10Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, 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 send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? | 11Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? |
| 12Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. | 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? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done 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 envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. | 14But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't brag and deny the truth. |
| 15This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. | 15Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. |
| 16For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. | 16For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. |
| 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. | 17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. |
| 18Now the fruit 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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