18 four kinds of things rise up: good and evil, life and death. That which rules over them continually is the tongue. (WEB)
Sirach 37:18
Semantically similar passages
Proverbs 18:20–22
20 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. 21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
James 3:7–9
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who…
Sirach 5:12–14
12 If you have understanding, answer your neighbor; but if not, put your hand over your mouth. (WEB) 13 Glory and dishonor is in talk. A man’s tongue may be his downfall. (WEB) 14 Don’t be called a whisperer. Don’t lie in wait with your tongue; for shame is on the thief, and an evi… (WEB)
Testament of Asher 1:2–4
2 For while he was still in health, he said to them: Hearken, ye children of Asher, to your father, and I will declare to you all that is upright in the sight of the Lord. (T12) 3 Two ways hath God given to the sons of men, and two inclinations, and two kinds of action,… (T12)
Proverbs 12:17–19
17 He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit. 18 Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
Proverbs 15:3–5
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good. 4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. 5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.
Proverbs 10:30–32
30 The righteous will never be shaken, but the wicked will not inhabit the land. 31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. 32 The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.
Proverbs 10:10–12
10 He who winks the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will come to ruin. 11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 12 Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.
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