Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit. | The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. |
The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks. | A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. |
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Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear. | Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. |
He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. | Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. |
Not rendering evil for evil or insult for insult; but instead blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. | Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. |
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit. | Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. |
I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. | And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. |
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning. | Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. |
In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, but he who restrains his lips does wisely. | Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. |
So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. | Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. |
Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate. | Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. |
Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time! | Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! |
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. | A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. |
My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth. | Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. |
For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also. | Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. |
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips. | Wise words bring approval, but fools are destroyed by their own words. |
One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret. | A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. |
Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. | And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! |
My mouth shall be filled with your praise, with your honor all day long. | That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long. |
If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. | If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. |
Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light. What you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. | Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear! |
Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. | Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. |
That if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. | If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. |
Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established. | Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success. |
In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered. | And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. |