Spiritual Wealth of Wisdom

A soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life,

But a perversive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes the spirit.

A [flippant, arrogant] fool rejects his father’s instruction and correction,

But he who [is willing to learn and] regards and keeps in mind a reprimand acquires good sense.

Great and priceless treasure is in the house of the [consistently] righteous one [who seeks godly instruction and grows in wisdom],

But trouble is in the income of the wicked one [who rejects the laws of God].

The lips of the wise spread knowledge [sifting it as chaff from the grain];

But the hearts of [shortsighted] fools are not so. (Proverbs 15:4-7) Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious]. Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you]. (Colossians 4:5-6) The [intrinsically] good man produces what is good and honorable and moral out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart; and the [intrinsically] evil man produces what is wicked and depraved out of the evil [in his heart]; for his mouth speaks from the overflow of his heart. (Luke 6:45) The wages of the righteous [the upright, those in right standing with God] is [a worthwhile, meaningful] life,

The income of the wicked, punishment.

He who learns from instruction and correction is on the [right] path of life [and for others his example is a path toward wisdom and blessing],

But he who ignores and refuses correction goes off course [and for others his example is a path toward sin and ruin].

The tongue of the righteous is like precious silver (greatly valued). The lips of the righteous feed and guide many,

But fools [who reject God and His wisdom] die for lack of understanding. The blessing of the LORD brings [true] riches,

And He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God. (Proverbs 10:16-17,20-22) Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words. (Proverbs 18:21)

Out of the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. These things, my brothers, should not be this way [for we have a moral obligation to speak in a manner that reflects our fear of God and profound respect for His precepts. (James 3:10) The wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile]. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness (spiritual maturity) is sown in peace by those who make peace [by actively encouraging goodwill between individuals]. (James 3:10,17-18) Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].  (Ephesians 4:29)