Verse 21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.

Referenced Verses

  • Eph 4:29 : 29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouth, but only what is good for giving necessary teaching, and for grace to those who give ear.
  • Matt 12:35-37 : 35 The good man out of his good store gives good things; and the evil man out of his evil store gives evil things. 36 And I say to you that in the day when they are judged, men will have to give an account of every foolish word they have said. 37 For by your words will your righteousness be seen, and by your words you will be judged.
  • Col 4:6 : 6 Let your talk be with grace, mixed with salt, so that you may be able to give an answer to everyone.
  • Prov 10:19-21 : 19 Where there is much talk there will be no end to sin, but he who keeps his mouth shut does wisely. 20 The tongue of the upright man is like tested silver: the heart of the evil-doer is of little value. 21 The lips of the upright man give food to men, but the foolish come to death for need of sense.
  • Jas 3:6-9 : 6 And the tongue is a fire; it is the power of evil placed in our bodies, making all the body unclean, putting the wheel of life on fire, and getting its fire from hell. 7 For every sort of beast and bird and every living thing on earth and in the sea has been controlled by man and is under his authority; 8 But the tongue may not be controlled by man; it is an unresting evil, it is full of the poison of death. 9 With it we give praise to our Lord and Father; and with it we put a curse on men who are made in God's image.
  • Prov 10:31 : 31 The mouth of the upright man is budding with wisdom, but the twisted tongue will be cut off.
  • Prov 11:30 : 30 The fruit of righteousness is a tree of life, but violent behaviour takes away souls.
  • Prov 13:2-3 : 2 A man will get good from the fruit of his lips, but the desire of the false is for violent acts. 3 He who keeps a watch on his mouth keeps his life; but he whose lips are open wide will have destruction.
  • Prov 18:4-7 : 4 The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream. 5 To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright. 6 A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows. 7 The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.
  • Eccl 10:12-14 : 12 The words of a wise man's mouth are sweet to all, but the lips of a foolish man are his destruction. 13 The first words of his mouth are foolish, and the end of his talk is evil crime. 14 The foolish are full of words; man has no knowledge of what will be; and who is able to say what will be after him?
  • Prov 12:13 : 13 In the sin of the lips is a net which takes the sinner, but the upright man will come out of trouble.
  • Isa 57:19 : 19 I will give the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace, to him who is near and to him who is far off, says the Lord; and I will make him well.
  • 2 Pet 2:18 : 18 For with high-sounding false words, making use of the attraction of unclean desires of the flesh, they get into their power those newly made free from those who are living in error;
  • Titus 1:10-11 : 10 For there are men who are not ruled by law; foolish talkers, false teachers, specially those of the circumcision, 11 By whom some families have been completely overturned; who take money for teaching things which are not right; these will have to be stopped.
  • Rom 10:14-15 : 14 But how will they give worship to him in whom they have no faith? and how will they have faith in him of whom they have not had news? and how will they have news without a preacher? 15 And how will there be preachers if they are not sent? As it is said, How beautiful are the feet of those who give the glad news of good things.
  • 2 Cor 2:16 : 16 To the one it is a perfume of death to death; to the other a perfume of life to life. And who is enough for such things?
  • 2 Cor 11:15 : 15 So it is no great thing if his servants make themselves seem to be servants of righteousness; whose end will be the reward of their works.