³⁷ But make sure your statement is, ‘^[a]Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is ^[b]of ^(A)evil origin.

¹⁷ For we are not like the many, ^[a](A)peddling the word of God, but ^(B)as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ ^(C)in the sight of God.

The Tongue Is a Fire

3 ^(A)Do not become teachers in large numbers, ^(B)my brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a ^[a]stricter judgment. ² For we all ^(C)stumble in many ways. ^(D)If anyone does not stumble in ^[b]what he says, he is a ^(E)perfect man, able to ^[c](F)rein in the whole body as well.

²⁶ If anyone thinks himself to be religious, yet does not ^[a](A)bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless.

^10 (A)For there are many ^(B)rebellious people, ^(C)empty talkers and deceivers, especially ^(D)those of the circumcision, ¹¹ who must be silenced because they are upsetting ^(E)whole families, teaching ^(F)things they should not teach ^(G)for the sake of ^[a]dishonest gain.

^16 (A)They profess to know God, but by their deeds they ^(B)deny Him, being ^(C)detestable and ^(D)disobedient and ^(E)worthless ^(F)for any good deed.

³⁶ But I tell you that for every ^[a]careless word that people ^[b]speak, they will give an account of it on the ^(A)day of judgment.

³⁷ For ^[a]by your words you will be justified, and ^[b]by your words you will be condemned.”