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,

Read full chapter

27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,(A)
    and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.(B)

Read full chapter

23 Those who guard their mouths(A) and their tongues
    keep themselves from calamity.(B)

Read full chapter

19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
    but the prudent hold their tongues.(A)

Read full chapter

29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,(A)
    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.(B)

Read full chapter

13 To answer before listening—
    that is folly and shame.(A)

Read full chapter

Those who guard their lips(A) preserve their lives,(B)
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.(C)

Read full chapter

32 Better a patient person than a warrior,
    one with self-control than one who takes a city.

Read full chapter

26 “In your anger do not sin”[a]:(A) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:26 Psalm 4:4 (see Septuagint)

18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,(A)
    but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.(B)

Read full chapter

The end of a matter is better than its beginning,
    and patience(A) is better than pride.
Do not be quickly provoked(B) in your spirit,
    for anger resides in the lap of fools.(C)

Read full chapter

But now you must also rid yourselves(A) of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,(B) and filthy language from your lips.(C)

Read full chapter

Fulfill Your Vow to God

[a]Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.

Do not be quick with your mouth,
    do not be hasty in your heart
    to utter anything before God.(A)
God is in heaven
    and you are on earth,
    so let your words be few.(B)
A dream(C) comes when there are many cares,
    and many words mark the speech of a fool.(D)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 5:1 In Hebrew texts 5:1 is numbered 4:17, and 5:2-20 is numbered 5:1-19.

31 Get rid of(A) all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.(B)

Read full chapter

15 Let the peace of Christ(A) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body(B) you were called to peace.(C) And be thankful.

Read full chapter

21 The tongue has the power of life and death,(A)
    and those who love it will eat its fruit.(B)

Read full chapter

11 A person’s wisdom yields patience;(A)
    it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.

Read full chapter

28 Like a city whose walls are broken through
    is a person who lacks self-control.

Read full chapter

The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,(A)
    but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.(B)

Read full chapter

17 A quick-tempered person(A) does foolish things,(B)
    and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.(C)

Read full chapter

22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry(A) with a brother or sister[a][b] will be subject to judgment.(B) Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[c] is answerable to the court.(C) And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.(D)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:22 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a fellow disciple, whether man or woman; also in verse 23.
  2. Matthew 5:22 Some manuscripts brother or sister without cause
  3. Matthew 5:22 An Aramaic term of contempt

14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
    so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.(A)

Read full chapter

32 “Now then, my children, listen(A) to me;
    blessed are(B) those who keep my ways.(C)
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
    do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen(D) to me,
    watching daily at my doors,
    waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me(E) find life(F)
    and receive favor from the Lord.(G)

Read full chapter

13 And we also thank God continually(A) because, when you received the word of God,(B) which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

Read full chapter

20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.(A) I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.(B)

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends