Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. | The tongue has the power over life and death; those who cherish it will enjoy its fruits. |
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. | 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. |
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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. | 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 mouths preserve their lives; those who open wide their lips 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 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. | 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 gentle 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. |
I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter. | I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to render an account for every careless word they utter. |
Even fools who keep silent are considered wise; when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent. | Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; if he closes his lips, he is regarded as intelligent. |
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but the prudent are restrained in speech. | Where many words are spoken, sin is not absent, but whoever restrains his tongue is prudent. |
You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. | Remember this, my beloved brethren: everyone should be quick to listen but slow to speak and slow to anger. |
Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. | Speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves, and defend the rights of the destitute. |
To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone, and a word in 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. |
Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. | Dear children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. |
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. | 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. |
Words spoken by the wise bring them favor, but the lips of fools consume them. | The words of a wise man win favor, but a fool’s tongue is his undoing. |
A gossip goes about telling secrets, but one who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a confidence. | One who gossips reveals secrets, but a trustworthy man keeps things hidden. |
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. | Out of the same mouth flow blessings and curses. This should not be so, my brethren. |
My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all day long. | My mouth is filled with your praises as I relate your glory all day long. |
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. | 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 said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from 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. |
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. | Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of your opportunity. Let your speech always be gracious and seasoned with wisdom, so that you will know how to respond properly to all. |
Because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. | If you confess with your lips, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. |
Without counsel, plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed. | Plans miscarry when counsel is lacking, but they succeed when there are many counselors. |
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. | In the same way, even the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs that cannot be put into words. |