Proverbs 21:23
New Living Translation
23 Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut,
and you will stay out of trouble.
Proverbs 21:23
New International Version
Proverbs 13:3
New Living Translation
3 Those who control their tongue will have a long life;
opening your mouth can ruin everything.
Proverbs 13:3
New International Version
James 1:26
New Living Translation
26 If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.
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James 1:26
New International Version
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues(A) deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
Proverbs 17:27-28
New Living Translation
27 A truly wise person uses few words;
a person with understanding is even-tempered.
28 Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent;
with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.
Proverbs 17:27-28
New International Version
27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,(A)
and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.(B)
28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
and discerning if they hold their tongues.(C)
Proverbs 12:13
New Living Translation
13 The wicked are trapped by their own words,
but the godly escape such trouble.
Proverbs 12:13
New International Version
Proverbs 18:21
New Living Translation
21 The tongue can bring death or life;
those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
Proverbs 18:21
New International Version
Proverbs 10:19
New Living Translation
19 Too much talk leads to sin.
Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
Proverbs 10:19
New International Version
19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
but the prudent hold their tongues.(A)
James 3:2-13
New Living Translation
2 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.
3 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.
But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.[a]
7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? 12 Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.[b]
True Wisdom Comes from God
13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
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James 3:2-13
New International Version
2 We all stumble(A) in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say(B) is perfect,(C) able to keep their whole body in check.(D)
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.(E) 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.(F) Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire,(G) a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body,(H) sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.(I)
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.(J)
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.(K) 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?(L) Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Two Kinds of Wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it(M) by their good life, by deeds(N) done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
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