Since you are God's people, it is not right that any matters of sexual immorality or indecency or greed should even be mentioned among you.

Nor is it fitting for you to use language which is obscene, profane, or vulgar. Rather you should give thanks to God.

What my enemies say can never be trusted; they only want to destroy. Their words are flattering and smooth, but full of deadly deceit.

You make plans to ruin others; your tongue is like a sharp razor. You are always inventing lies.

their hearts pour out evil, and their minds are busy with wicked schemes.

They speak evil of God in heaven and give arrogant orders to everyone on earth,

You snakes---how can you say good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

"You can be sure that on the Judgment Day you will have to give account of every useless word you have ever spoken.

Their words are full of deadly deceit; wicked lies roll off their tongues, and dangerous threats, like snake's poison, from their lips;

their speech is filled with bitter curses.

If I have, as it were, fought "wild beasts" here in Ephesus simply from human motives, what have I gained? But if the dead are not raised to life, then, as the saying goes, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we will die."

Do not be fooled. "Bad companions ruin good character."

But now you must get rid of all these things: anger, passion, and hateful feelings. No insults or obscene talk must ever come from your lips.

Do not lie to one another, for you have put off the old self with its habits

Your speech should always be pleasant and interesting, and you should know how to give the right answer to everyone.

All of us often make mistakes. But if a person never makes a mistake in what he says, he is perfect and is also able to control his whole being.

Or think of a ship: big as it is and driven by such strong winds, it can be steered by a very small rudder, and it goes wherever the pilot wants it to go.

And the tongue is like a fire. It is a world of wrong, occupying its place in our bodies and spreading evil through our whole being. It sets on fire the entire course of our existence with the fire that comes to it from hell itself.

But no one has ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison.

They make proud and stupid statements, and use immoral bodily lusts to trap those who are just beginning to escape from among people who live in error.

They are like wild waves of the sea, with their shameful deeds showing up like foam. They are like wandering stars, for whom God has reserved a place forever in the deepest darkness.

to bring judgment on all, to condemn them all for the godless deeds they have performed and for all the terrible words that godless sinners have spoken against him!"

The beast was allowed to make proud claims which were insulting to God, and it was permitted to have authority for forty-two months.

It began to curse God, his name, the place where he lives, and all those who live in heaven.

Never forget these commands that I am giving you today.

Tie them on your arms and wear them on your foreheads as a reminder.

The words of good people are wise, and they are always fair.

They keep the law of their God in their hearts and never depart from it.

You are the most handsome of men; you are an eloquent speaker. God has always blessed you.

You have taught me ever since I was young, and I still tell of your wonderful acts.

Now that I am old and my hair is gray, do not abandon me, O God! Be with me while I proclaim your power and might to all generations to come.

I will speak of your righteousness all day long, because those who tried to harm me have been defeated and disgraced.

We will not keep them from our children; we will tell the next generation about the LORD's power and his great deeds and the wonderful things he has done.

He gave laws to the people of Israel and commandments to the descendants of Jacob. He instructed our ancestors to teach his laws to their children,

Righteous people speak wisdom, but the tongue that speaks evil will be stopped.

Righteous people know the kind thing to say, but the wicked are always saying things that hurt.

The wicked are trapped by their own words, but honest people get themselves out of trouble.

When wise people speak, they make knowledge attractive, but stupid people spout nonsense.

Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.

A wise, mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is.

An idea well-expressed is like a design of gold, set in silver.

A warning given by an experienced person to someone willing to listen is more valuable than gold rings or jewelry made of the finest gold.

The Sovereign LORD has taught me what to say, so that I can strengthen the weary. Every morning he makes me eager to hear what he is going to teach me.

Then the people who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard what they said. In his presence, there was written down in a book a record of those who feared the LORD and respected him.

Once again my people will see the difference between what happens to the righteous and to the wicked, to the person who serves me and the one who does not."

They were all well impressed with him and marveled at the eloquent words that he spoke. They said, "Isn't he the son of Joseph?"

But in church worship I would rather speak five words that can be understood, in order to teach others, than speak thousands of words in strange tongues.

Christ's message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct one another with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts.

Everything you do or say, then, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks through him to God the Father.

Your speech should always be pleasant and interesting, and you should know how to give the right answer to everyone.

And so encourage one another and help one another, just as you are now doing.

He did this to prepare all God's people for the work of Christian service, in order to build up the body of Christ.

Under his control all the different parts of the body fit together, and the whole body is held together by every joint with which it is provided. So when each separate part works as it should, the whole body grows and builds itself up through love.

In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

Your conduct among the heathen should be so good that when they accuse you of being evildoers, they will have to recognize your good deeds and so praise God on the Day of his coming.

In the same way you wives must submit yourselves to your husbands, so that if any of them do not believe God's word, your conduct will win them over to believe. It will not be necessary for you to say a word,