Mat 12:37 For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.

Based on the following linguistic research, an alternative translation would be: By your logic you will have right done to you and by your logic you will be judged.

In the original Greek, the idea is not so much being "justified" or condemned," but being judged by the standard you set for others. In the normal English translation, the emphasis seems to be on the "words" used because the previous verse talks about "idle words," but a different term for "words" was used in that reference. In the Greek the subtle play on words is a warning to those attacking Christ to be careful of the way that they are judging him.

"Words" is the Greek logos, which means "word," "computation," "reckoning," and "value." It is also "an explanation," "an argument," or "a rule or principle of law."

"Shall be justified" is dikaioô, which means "to set right," "to claim or hold as a right," and "to do a man justice." In the passive form (used here), it means "to have right done to one."

"Shall be condemned" is katadikazô, which means "to give judgment," "to condemn," and "to have a judgement go against one." In the passive form (used here), it means "to be bound by law."