| King James Bible | Berean Study Bible |
| 1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. | 1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. |
| 2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. | 2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. |
| 3Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. | 3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal. |
| 4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. | 4Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined. |
| 5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! | 5In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. |
| 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. | 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. |
| 7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: | 7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, |
| 8But the tongue can no man tame; 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. |
| 9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. | 9With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. |
| 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. | 10Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! |
| 11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? | 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? |
| 12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. | 12My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. |
| 13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. | 13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. |
| 14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. | 14But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. |
| 15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. | 15Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. |
| 16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. | 16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice. |
| 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. | 17But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. |
| 18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. | 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness. |
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