Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.”
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.
An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble.
Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.