Matthew 15:11
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.”(A)
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Mark 7:15
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
15 there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.”[a]
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- 7.15 Other ancient authorities add 7.16: “If you have ears to hear, then hear”
Matthew 15:18-20
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles.(A) 19 For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.(B) 20 These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”
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James 3:5-8
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5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.
How great a forest is set ablaze by a such a small fire!(A) 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of life, and is itself set on fire by hell.[a](B) 7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8 but no one can tame the tongue—a restless[b] evil, full of deadly poison.(C)
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Matthew 12:34-37
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34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.(A) 35 The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
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1 Timothy 4:4-5
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4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving,(A) 5 for it is sanctified by God’s word and by prayer.
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Acts 10:14-15
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14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.”(A) 15 The voice said to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.”(B)
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Luke 11:38-41
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38 The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not first wash before dinner.(A) 39 Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.(B) 40 You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41 So give as alms those things that are within and then everything will be clean for you.(C)
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Romans 14:17
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
17 For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.(A)
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Isaiah 59:13-15
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
13 transgressing and denying the Lord
and turning away from following our God,
talking oppression and revolt,
conceiving lying words and uttering them from the heart.(A)
14 Justice is turned back,
and deliverance stands at a distance,
for truth stumbles in the public square,
and uprightness cannot enter.(B)
15 Truth is lacking,
and whoever turns from evil is despoiled.
The Lord saw it, and it displeased him
that there was no justice.(C)
Psalm 52:2-4
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
2 you are plotting destruction.
Your tongue is like a sharp razor,
you worker of treachery.(A)
3 You love evil more than good
and lying more than speaking the truth. Selah(B)
4 You love all words that devour,
O deceitful tongue.(C)
Psalm 12:2
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
2 They utter lies to each other;
with flattering lips and a deceitful heart they speak.(A)
Romans 3:13-14
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
13 “Their throats are opened graves;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of vipers is under their lips.”(A)
14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.