Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit. | Then keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. |
But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ. | Rather, professing truth and love, we will in all things grow into him who is the head, Christ. |
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Death and life are in the power of the tongue, 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 out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. | 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. |
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. | Let no foul word ever pass your lips. Say only what is useful for edification, so that your words may benefit your listeners. |
He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. | He who guards his mouth makes his life secure, but one who talks excessively ensures his own downfall. |
Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, 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. |
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. | A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but an undisciplined tongue crushes the spirit. |
For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. | 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 use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for 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 say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. | I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to render an account for every careless word they utter. |
Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive. | Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; if he closes his lips, he is regarded as intelligent. |
In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. | Where many words are spoken, sin is not absent, but whoever restrains his tongue is prudent. |
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. | Remember this, my beloved brethren: everyone should be quick to listen but slow to speak and slow to anger. |
Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. | Speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves, and defend the rights of the destitute. |
A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is! | A man is joyful when he utters apt answers, and even more satisfying is a word in season. |
A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. | A gentle reply turns away wrath, but a harsh word arouses anger. |
My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. | Dear children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. |
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up. | The words of a wise man win favor, but a fool’s tongue is his undoing. |
A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter. | One who gossips reveals secrets, but a trustworthy man keeps things hidden. |
Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. | Out of the same mouth flow blessings and curses. This should not be so, my brethren. |
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear 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.” |
Let my mouth be filled with Your praise And with Your glory all the day. | My mouth is filled with your praises as I relate your glory all day long. |
Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. | 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. |
Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. | 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. |