My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.

Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.

A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.

When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal. Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined. In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. . . .

He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.

The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal. Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined. In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. . . .

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.

“Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger,

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

For there is a right time and procedure to every purpose, though a man’s misery weighs heavily upon him.

A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. After all, God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few. As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words. When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. . . .

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.

My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls. Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, . . .

The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.

You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.

You yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not in vain. As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi. But in the face of strong opposition, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God. For our appeal does not arise from deceit or ulterior motives or trickery. Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts. As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness! . . .

Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent.

For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. . . .

A wise heart will receive commandments, but foolish lips will come to ruin.

For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.

Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight. When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them. Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death. The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness. . . .

We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives as well. That is how beloved you have become to us.

Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus invited a little child to stand among them. “Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me. . . .

A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.

Be angry, yet do not sin; on your bed, search your heart and be still. Selah

to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.

If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.

A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated.

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.

Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes its food?

Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before they eat.” Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ . . .

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.

But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of a fool.

A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”

I urge Euodia and Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.

And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.

If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good. A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent. . . .

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,

Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?

But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to honor My name,” says the LORD of Hosts, “I will send a curse among you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already begun to curse them, because you are not taking it to heart.

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the desire of the faithless is violence.

An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice.

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears.

This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw. This is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near. John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from Him who is and was and is to come, and from the seven Spirits before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood, . . .

Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Does God lavish His Spirit on you and work miracles among you because you practice the law, or because you hear and believe?

Call to Me, and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

What you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops.

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.

In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.

Continue in brotherly love. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them, and those who are mistreated as if you were suffering with them. Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” . . .

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.

My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.

Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who ignores reproof goes astray.

Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice—my appeal for mercy. Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.