He that answereth a matter before he heareth {it}, it {is} folly and shame unto him. {answereth...: Heb. returneth a word}

The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, {is} from the LORD. {preparations: or, disposings}

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

{Every man} shall kiss {his} lips that giveth a right answer. {that...: Heb. that answereth right words}

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and {be} ready always to {give} an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: {fear: or, reverence}

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

But Peter rehearsed {the matter} from the beginning, and expounded {it} by order unto them, saying,

Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place {such} over them, {to be} rulers of thousands, {and} rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, {though} thou be little among the thousands of Judah, {yet} out of thee shall he come forth unto me {that is} to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth {have been} from of old, from everlasting. {everlasting: Heb. the days of eternity}

But Peter rehearsed {the matter} from the beginning, and expounded {it} by order unto them, saying,