⁸ For if these qualities^[a] are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or ^(A)unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he ^(B)is blind, having forgotten that he was ^(C)cleansed from his former sins.

What Defiles a Person

¹⁰ And he called the people to him and said to them, ^(A)“Hear and understand: ^11 (B)it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” ¹² Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were ^(C)offended when they heard this saying?” ¹³ He answered, ^(D)“Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted ^(E)will be rooted up. ¹⁴ Let them alone; ^(F)they are blind guides.^[a] And ^(G)if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” ¹⁵ But Peter said to him, ^(H)“Explain the parable to us.” ¹⁶ And he said, ^(I)“Are you also still without understanding? ¹⁷ Do you not see that ^(J)whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled?^{[b] 18} But ^(K)what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. ¹⁹ For out of the heart come ^(L)evil thoughts, ^(M)murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, ^(N)slander. ^20 (O)These are what defile a person. But ^(P)to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”

¹¹ But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and ^(A)walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.