| Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. | Then keep your tongue from speaking 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, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. |
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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. | When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. |
| Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. | The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. |
| 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 person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. |
| 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. | Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. |
| He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. | Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. |
| Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. | Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. |
| A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. | Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful 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. | Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. |
| But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. | And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. |
| 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 when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. |
| In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. | Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. |
| Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. | Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get 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; ensure justice for those being crushed. |
| A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! | Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! |
| A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. | A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. |
| My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. | Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. |
| The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. | Wise words bring approval, but fools are destroyed by their own words. |
| A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. | A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. |
| Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. | And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! |
| Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day. | That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory 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 another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. |
| 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. | Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear! |
| 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. | Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. |
