Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. | Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. |
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. | But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into 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. | When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that 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. | Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. |
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. | The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. |
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. | Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. |
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. | Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives; those who open wide their lips 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 for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing. |
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. | A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks 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. | For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. |
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. | I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter. |
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 who keep silent are considered wise; when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent. |
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. | When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but the prudent are restrained in speech. |
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. | You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. |
Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. | Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. |
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! | To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone, and a word in season, how good it is! |
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. | A soft 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. | Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. |
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. | Words spoken by the wise bring them favor, but the lips of fools consume them. |
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. | A gossip goes about telling secrets, but one who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a confidence. |
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. | From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. |
Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day. | My mouth is filled with your praise, and with 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 member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. |
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. | Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops. |
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. | Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone. |