¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.^(A) If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides,^(B) so that in all things God may be praised^(C) through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.^(D)

⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

² Much in every way!^(A) First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.^(B)

¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed^(A) and is useful for teaching,^(B) rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,^(C)

¹² For the word of God^(A) is alive^(B) and active.^(C) Sharper than any double-edged sword,^(D) it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.^(E)

Listening and Doing

¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters,^(A) take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak^(B) and slow to become angry,

Taming the Tongue

3 Not many of you should become teachers,^(A) my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged^(B) more strictly.^{(C) 2} We all stumble^(D) in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say^(E) is perfect,^(F) able to keep their whole body in check.^(G)

²⁰ Above all, you must understand^(A) that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. ²¹ For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God^(B) as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.^(C)