Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. | Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. |
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. | Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. |
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But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. | And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. |
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. | The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. |
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. | A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. |
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. | Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. |
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. | Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. |
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. | Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. |
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. | The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. |
For 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. | We 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. |
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. | But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. |
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. | Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. |
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. | Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. |
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. | My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. |
Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. | Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. |
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! | A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! |
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. | A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. |
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. | Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. |
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. | Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips. |
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. | A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. |
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. | Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. |
Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day. | My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long. |
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. | If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. |
Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. | What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. |
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. | Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. |