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100 Bible Verses about Our Speech

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 983 helpful votes

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 672 helpful votes

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Matthew 15:11 ESV / 503 helpful votes

It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

Psalm 141:3 ESV / 472 helpful votes

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

Proverbs 15:4 ESV / 425 helpful votes

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Proverbs 15:1-2 ESV / 425 helpful votes

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

Proverbs 21:23 ESV / 403 helpful votes

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Proverbs 16:24 ESV / 387 helpful votes

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Ephesians 5:4 ESV / 358 helpful votes

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Matthew 12:36 ESV / 349 helpful votes

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

James 1:19 ESV / 338 helpful votes

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

James 1:26 ESV / 305 helpful votes

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 293 helpful votes

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Proverbs 17:28 ESV / 284 helpful votes

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Psalm 19:14 ESV / 256 helpful votes

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Proverbs 18:20-21 ESV / 244 helpful votes

From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 239 helpful votes

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

James 3:9-10 ESV / 238 helpful votes

With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

Proverbs 13:3 ESV / 213 helpful votes

Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Matthew 12:36-37 ESV / 207 helpful votes

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Luke 6:45 ESV / 203 helpful votes

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Proverbs 17:27 ESV / 199 helpful votes

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 196 helpful votes

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Ecclesiastes 5:2-4 ESV / 186 helpful votes

Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words. When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow.

Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 183 helpful votes

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Colossians 3:17 ESV / 177 helpful votes

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Proverbs 12:25 ESV / 177 helpful votes

Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

James 3:1-18 ESV / 175 helpful votes

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! ...

Titus 2:7-8 ESV / 167 helpful votes

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

Proverbs 10:31-32 ESV / 160 helpful votes

The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

Ephesians 4:15 ESV / 155 helpful votes

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Proverbs 15:28 ESV / 143 helpful votes

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

James 3:2 ESV / 142 helpful votes

For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

Proverbs 31:26 ESV / 137 helpful votes

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

1 Peter 3:15 ESV / 127 helpful votes

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Proverbs 18:13 ESV / 127 helpful votes

If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

Matthew 12:34 ESV / 126 helpful votes

You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Psalm 34:13 ESV / 125 helpful votes

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

1 Peter 3:10 ESV / 124 helpful votes

For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;

Colossians 3:8 ESV / 123 helpful votes

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

2 Timothy 2:16 ESV / 121 helpful votes

But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,

Proverbs 15:2 ESV / 114 helpful votes

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

Ephesians 4:32 ESV / 113 helpful votes

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Psalm 39:1 ESV / 111 helpful votes

To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.”

James 3:8 ESV / 110 helpful votes

But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

1 Peter 3:9 ESV / 104 helpful votes

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

1 Peter 4:11 ESV / 103 helpful votes

Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Proverbs 8:13 ESV / 102 helpful votes

The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.

Proverbs 11:9 ESV / 101 helpful votes

With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

Titus 2:8 ESV / 99 helpful votes

And sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

Titus 3:1-2 ESV / 96 helpful votes

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

1 Peter 3:9-11 ESV / 93 helpful votes

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.

Proverbs 25:11-12 ESV / 93 helpful votes

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

Proverbs 18:20 ESV / 93 helpful votes

From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

James 3:6 ESV / 92 helpful votes

And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.

Proverbs 25:15 ESV / 92 helpful votes

With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.

Psalm 37:30-31 ESV / 91 helpful votes

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.

Leviticus 19:16 ESV / 89 helpful votes

You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.

James 5:12 ESV / 88 helpful votes

But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

James 3:1 ESV / 88 helpful votes

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

Proverbs 25:11 ESV / 88 helpful votes

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Proverbs 15:23 ESV / 85 helpful votes

To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!

1 Peter 3:14-16 ESV / 82 helpful votes

But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

James 3:5 ESV / 80 helpful votes

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!

Colossians 3:16 ESV / 80 helpful votes

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Proverbs 12:6 ESV / 79 helpful votes

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them.

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV / 78 helpful votes

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Galatians 5:13-15 ESV / 78 helpful votes

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Philippians 2:14 ESV / 74 helpful votes

Do all things without grumbling or disputing,

Ephesians 4:25 ESV / 74 helpful votes

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

James 3:5-8 ESV / 73 helpful votes

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

James 3:2-10 ESV / 73 helpful votes

For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. ...

Proverbs 11:12 ESV / 73 helpful votes

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.

1 Samuel 2:2-3 ESV / 73 helpful votes

“There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV / 72 helpful votes

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Micah 6:8 ESV / 71 helpful votes

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Proverbs 26:20 ESV / 71 helpful votes

For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.

Titus 2:7 ESV / 69 helpful votes

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,

Acts 14:22 ESV / 69 helpful votes

Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

1 John 3:18 ESV / 68 helpful votes

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Romans 10:9 ESV / 68 helpful votes

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Matthew 5:13 ESV / 68 helpful votes

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

Isaiah 50:4 ESV / 68 helpful votes

The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.

Proverbs 16:23 ESV / 68 helpful votes

The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

2 Corinthians 8:7 ESV / 67 helpful votes

But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

Ephesians 4:31 ESV / 66 helpful votes

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Ecclesiastes 10:14 ESV / 66 helpful votes

A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?

Matthew 18:15 ESV / 65 helpful votes

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.

Proverbs 20:19 ESV / 65 helpful votes

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.

Proverbs 3:5-7 ESV / 65 helpful votes

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 64 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

1 Peter 3:11 ESV / 63 helpful votes

Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.

1 Peter 2:23 ESV / 63 helpful votes

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

Proverbs 20:15 ESV / 62 helpful votes

There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

1 Peter 3:16 ESV / 61 helpful votes

Having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Romans 12:14 ESV / 59 helpful votes

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Proverbs 16:13 ESV / 59 helpful votes

Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.

James 1:19-20 ESV / 56 helpful votes

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Proverbs 12:13-14 ESV / 56 helpful votes

An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.

Psalm 49:3 ESV / 52 helpful votes

My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.

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