Verse 21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Other Translations

Referenced Verses

  • Eph 4:29 : 29 No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.
  • Matt 12:35-37 : 35 The good person brings out good things from the good treasure of his heart, and the evil person brings out evil things from his evil treasure. 36 I tell you, on the Day of Judgment, people will give an account for every idle word they speak. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
  • Col 4:6 : 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
  • Prov 10:19-21 : 19 When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but the one who restrains his lips is wise. 20 The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. 21 The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.
  • Jas 3:6-9 : 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting the entire course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
  • Prov 10:31 : 31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut off.
  • Prov 11:30 : 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who wins souls is wise.
  • Prov 13:2-3 : 2 From the fruit of their lips, people enjoy good things, but the appetite of the treacherous desires violence. 3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
  • Prov 18:4-7 : 4 The words of a person's mouth are like deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream. 5 It is not good to show partiality to the wicked or to subvert the justice of the righteous. 6 A fool's lips lead to strife, and his mouth invites a beating. 7 The mouth of a fool is his ruin, and his lips are a snare for his soul.
  • Eccl 10:12-14 : 12 The words of a wise person's mouth bring favor, but the lips of a fool consume him. 13 The beginning of a fool's speech is foolishness, and the end of it is evil madness. 14 A fool multiplies words; no one knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him?
  • Prov 12:13 : 13 By the sin of their lips, the wicked are trapped, but the righteous escape trouble.
  • Isa 57:19 : 19 Creating praise on the lips: Peace, peace, to those far and near, says the LORD. And I will heal them.
  • 2 Pet 2:18 : 18 For they utter arrogant, empty words and entice those who are barely escaping from others living in error, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh and by debauchery.
  • Titus 1:10-11 : 10 For there are many who are rebellious, idle talkers, and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. 11 They must be silenced because they are upsetting whole households by teaching things they should not for the sake of dishonest gain.
  • Rom 10:14-15 : 14 How then can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of peace, who bring the good news of good things!”
  • 2 Cor 2:16 : 16 To one, we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is adequate for such a task?
  • 2 Cor 11:15 : 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be according to their deeds.