| Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. | Then keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. |
| 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. | Rather, professing truth and love, we will in all things grow into him who is the head, Christ. |
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| The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. | The tongue has the power over life and death; those who cherish it will enjoy its fruits. |
| 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. | A good man produces good from the store of goodness in his heart, whereas an evil man produces evil from the store of evil within him. For the mouth speaks from the abundance of the heart. |
| 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. | Let no foul word ever pass your lips. Say only what is useful for edification, so that your words may benefit your listeners. |
| Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. | He who guards his mouth makes his life secure, but one who talks excessively ensures his own downfall. |
| 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. | Do not repay evil with evil or abuse with abuse. On the contrary, repay with a blessing. This is what you were called to do, so that you might inherit a blessing. |
| The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. | A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but an undisciplined tongue crushes the spirit. |
| 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. | For all of us fall short in many ways. Anyone who never makes a mistake in speech has reached perfection and is able to control every part of his body. |
| And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. | When you pray do not go on babbling endlessly as the pagans do, for they believe that they are more likely to be heard because of their many words. |
| But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. | I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to render an account for every careless word they utter. |
| Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. | Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; if he closes his lips, he is regarded as intelligent. |
| Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. | Where many words are spoken, sin is not absent, but whoever restrains his tongue is prudent. |
| My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. | Remember this, my beloved brethren: everyone should be quick to listen but slow to speak and slow to anger. |
| Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. | Speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves, and defend the rights of the destitute. |
| A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! | A man is joyful when he utters apt answers, and even more satisfying is a word in season. |
| A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. | A gentle reply turns away wrath, but a harsh word arouses anger. |
| Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. | Dear children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. |
| Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips. | The words of a wise man win favor, but a fool’s tongue is his undoing. |
| While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” | While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud cast a shadow over them. Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” |
| A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. | One who gossips reveals secrets, but a trustworthy man keeps things hidden. |
| Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. | Out of the same mouth flow blessings and curses. This should not be so, my brethren. |
| My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long. | My mouth is filled with your praises as I relate your glory all day long. |
| 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. | If your brother wrongs you, go and take up the matter with him when the two of you are alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. |
| 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. | Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops. |
