“I tell you!
On the day of judgment,
You will have
To give an account
For every careless word
You utter!
By your words,
You will be justified!
By your words,
You will be condemned.”
λέγω δὲ ὑμῖν ὅτι πᾶν ῥῆμα ἀργὸν ὃ λαλήσουσιν οἱ ἄνθρωποι, ἀποδώσουσιν περὶ αὐτοῦ λόγον ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως·
ἐκ γὰρ τῶν λόγων σου δικαιωθήσῃ, καὶ ἐκ τῶν λόγων σου καταδικασθήσῃ.
This is a unique saying of Matthew. Jesus gave a solemn proclamation “I say to you!” (λέγω δὲ ὑμῖν). On judgment day (ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως), all men will have to render an account or explain (ἀποδώσουσιν περὶ αὐτοῦ λόγον) every careless or idle word that they have spoken (ὅτι πᾶν ῥῆμα ἀργὸν ὃ λαλήσουσιν οἱ ἄνθρωποι). Either they will be justified (ἐκ γὰρ τῶν λόγων σου δικαιωθήσῃ) or condemned by their own words (καὶ ἐκ τῶν λόγων σου καταδικασθήσῃ). Be careful about what you say. There are significant repercussions for your words.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 