Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit. | Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. |
But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—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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Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. | 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 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. | 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 word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to 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 who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. | Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives; those who open wide their lips come to ruin. |
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 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 in it breaks the spirit. | A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks 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 make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. |
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 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. |
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, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter. |
Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive. | Even fools who keep silent are considered wise; when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent. |
In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. | When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but the prudent are restrained in speech. |
So then, 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 your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. | Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. |
A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is! | To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone, and a word in season, how good it is! |
A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. | A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. |
My little children, let us not love in word or 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 shall swallow him up. | Words spoken by the wise bring them favor, but the lips of fools consume them. |
A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter. | A gossip goes about telling secrets, but one who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a confidence. |
Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. | From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. |
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 overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him 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 praise, and with 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 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 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 light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops. |