Pro 18:21, 25:11, Mat 12:37, Jam 3:2-18 | ESV | STEP | Death and life are in the power of the tongue , and those who love it will eat its fruits .

Proverbs 18:21

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

Proverbs 25:11

11 ^bA word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Matthew 12:37

37 for ^cby your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

James 3:2-18

2 For ^dwe all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, ^ehe is a perfect man, ^fable also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put ^gbits 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 ^hit boasts of great things.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And ⁱthe tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, ^jstaining 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, ^mfull of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people ⁿwho 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? ^pBy his good conduct let him show his works ^qin the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter ^rjealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not ^sthe wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, ^tdemonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But ^uthe wisdom from above is first pure, then ^vpeaceable, gentle, open to reason, ^wfull of mercy and good fruits, ^ximpartial and ^ysincere. 18 And ^za harvest of righteousness ^aais sown in peace by those who make peace.