When there are manywords,transgressionis unavoidable,But he who restrainshis lipsis wise.
"Shall a multitudeof wordsgounanswered,And a talkativemanbe acquitted?
I said,"I will guardmy waysThat I may not sinwith my tongue;I will guardmy mouthas with a muzzleWhilethe wickedare in my presence."
He who despiseshis neighborlackssense,But a manof understandingkeepssilent.
He who goesabout as a talebearerrevealssecrets,But he who is trustworthyconcealsa matter.
A prudentmanconcealsknowledge,But the heartof foolsproclaimsfolly.
Deathand lifeare in the powerof the tongue,And those who loveit will eatits fruit.
Guardyour stepsas you goto the houseof Godand drawnearto listenratherthanto offerthe sacrificeof fools;for they do not knowthey are doingevil.
Do not be hastyin wordor impulsivein thoughtto bringup a matterin the presenceof God.For Godis in heavenand you are on the earth;thereforelet your wordsbe few.
For the dreamcomesthrough mucheffortand the voiceof a foolthrough manywords.
[This] you know,my belovedbrethren.But everyonemust be quickto hear,slowto speak[and] slowto anger;
For we allstumblein many[ways]. Ifanyonedoes not stumblein what he says,he is a perfectman,ableto bridlethe wholebodyas well.
