Psalm 34:13
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
13 Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.(A)
James 3:5-10
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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) 9 With it we bless the Lord[c] and Father, and with it we curse people, made in the likeness of God.(D) 10 From the same mouth comes a blessing and a curse. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.
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Psalm 141:3
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3 Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
Proverbs 21:23
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23 To watch over mouth and tongue
is to keep out of trouble.(A)
1 Peter 2:22
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22 “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
James 1:26
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26 If any think they are religious and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless.(A)
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James 1:19
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Hearing and Doing the Word
19 You must understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger,(A)
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Colossians 3:9
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9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices
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James 3:2
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2 For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is mature,[a] able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle.(A)
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- 3.2 Gk a mature man
Proverbs 13:3
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
3 Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives;
those who open wide their lips come to ruin.(A)
Proverbs 12:22
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
but those who act faithfully are his delight.(A)
Proverbs 12:19
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19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.(A)
Psalm 39:1
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Psalm 39
Prayer for Wisdom and Forgiveness
To the leader: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
1 I said, “I will guard my ways
that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will keep a muzzle on my mouth
as long as the wicked are in my presence.”(A)
1 Peter 2:1
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Living Stone and a Chosen People
2 Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander.(A)
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Matthew 12:35-37
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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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Proverbs 18:21
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21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.(A)
Revelation 14:4-5
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4 It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins; these follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been redeemed from humankind as first fruits for God and the Lamb,(A) 5 and in their mouth no lie was found; they are blameless.(B)
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Proverbs 19:9
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9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and the liar will perish.
Psalm 55:11
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11 ruin is in its midst;
oppression and fraud
do not depart from its marketplace.(A)
Isaiah 63:8
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8 For he said, “Surely they are my people,
children who will not act deceitfully,”
and he became their savior
Proverbs 12:7
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7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
but the house of the righteous will stand.(A)
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.