Pro 10:19, 12:13, 13:3, 17:27-28, 18:21, Jam 1:26, 3:2-13 | ESV | STEP | When words are many , transgression is not lacking , but whoever restrains his lips is prudent .

Proverbs 10:19

19 ^aWhen words are many, transgression is not lacking,
^bbut whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Proverbs 12:13

13 An evil man is ensnared ^cby the transgression of his lips,
^dbut the righteous escapes from trouble.

Proverbs 13:3

3 ^eWhoever guards his mouth preserves his life;
^fhe who opens wide his lips ^gcomes to ruin.

Proverbs 17:27-28

27 Whoever ^hrestrains his words has knowledge,
and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool ⁱwho keeps silent is considered wise;
when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 18:21

21 ^jDeath and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.

James 1:26

26 If anyone thinks he is religious ^kand does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s ^lreligion is worthless.

James 3:2-13

2 For ^mwe all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, ⁿhe is a perfect man, ^oable also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put ^pbits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 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. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet ^qit boasts of great things.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And ^rthe tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, ^sstaining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, ^{▼▼Or wheel of birth} and set on fire by hell. ^{▼▼Greek Gehenna} 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, ^vfull of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people ^wwho are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, ^{▼▼Or brothers and sisters; also verse 12} these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

Wisdom from Above

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? ^yBy his good conduct let him show his works ^zin the meekness of wisdom.