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100 Bible Verses about Speaking Up

Ephesians 5:11 ESV / 227 helpful votes

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

1 Peter 3:15-16 ESV / 194 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, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Proverbs 31:9 ESV / 161 helpful votes

Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Romans 1:16 ESV / 128 helpful votes

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Proverbs 31:8 ESV / 119 helpful votes

Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.

Romans 10:9 ESV / 116 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.

Acts 18:9-10 ESV / 111 helpful votes

And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 96 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.

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV / 82 helpful votes

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Colossians 3:16 ESV / 79 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.

Ephesians 4:15 ESV / 74 helpful votes

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

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 72 helpful votes

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

James 1:19 ESV / 68 helpful votes

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

Galatians 6:1 ESV / 66 helpful votes

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Proverbs 15:4 ESV / 64 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 57 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 57 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 31:8-9 ESV / 55 helpful votes

Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Isaiah 1:17 ESV / 53 helpful votes

Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.

Psalm 141:3 ESV / 53 helpful votes

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

Ephesians 5:19 ESV / 51 helpful votes

Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 50 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Proverbs 17:28 ESV / 49 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 13:3 ESV / 49 helpful votes

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

Matthew 18:15 ESV / 47 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.

Psalm 94:16 ESV / 47 helpful votes

Who rises up for me against the wicked? Who stands up for me against evildoers?

Acts 5:1-42 ESV / 46 helpful votes

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. ...

Hebrews 13:15 ESV / 45 helpful votes

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 45 helpful votes

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

James 5:13 ESV / 44 helpful votes

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

Acts 4:18-20 ESV / 44 helpful votes

So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

Luke 6:45 ESV / 44 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.

Ephesians 5:1 ESV / 43 helpful votes

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

Acts 19:1-41 ESV / 41 helpful votes

And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ...

Luke 18:35-43 ESV / 41 helpful votes

As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” ...

1 Peter 3:9 ESV / 37 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.

James 3:2 ESV / 37 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.

Ephesians 4:25 ESV / 37 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.

Proverbs 11:9 ESV / 36 helpful votes

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

Zechariah 8:16 ESV / 34 helpful votes

These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace;

Ezekiel 3:18-19 ESV / 34 helpful votes

If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.

Psalm 19:14 ESV / 32 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.

James 5:20 ESV / 31 helpful votes

Let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Matthew 7:21-23 ESV / 31 helpful votes

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Proverbs 29:7 ESV / 31 helpful votes

A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.

Proverbs 21:23 ESV / 31 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 16:24 ESV / 31 helpful votes

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

Colossians 3:8 ESV / 30 helpful votes

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

Acts 2:1-47 ESV / 30 helpful votes

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ...

Matthew 12:36 ESV / 30 helpful votes

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

Matthew 6:7 ESV / 30 helpful votes

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.

1 Samuel 19:4 ESV / 30 helpful votes

And Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you.

James 1:26 ESV / 29 helpful votes

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

Ephesians 5:11-12 ESV / 28 helpful votes

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.

1 Peter 3:15 ESV / 26 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,

Galatians 2:11-14 ESV / 26 helpful votes

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

1 Corinthians 14:1-40 ESV / 26 helpful votes

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. ...

Ecclesiastes 10:12 ESV / 26 helpful votes

The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

Ecclesiastes 3:7 ESV / 26 helpful votes

A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

Proverbs 31:7 ESV / 26 helpful votes

Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.

Proverbs 18:13 ESV / 26 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 11:12 ESV / 26 helpful votes

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

1 Samuel 20:32 ESV / 26 helpful votes

Then Jonathan answered Saul his father, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?”

Matthew 18:15-17 ESV / 25 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. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Psalm 71:8 ESV / 24 helpful votes

My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.

1 John 3:18 ESV / 23 helpful votes

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

James 3:5 ESV / 23 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!

Proverbs 15:22 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 11:13 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 22 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

John 14:27 ESV / 22 helpful votes

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Luke 12:3 ESV / 22 helpful votes

Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.

Hosea 4:6 ESV / 22 helpful votes

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

Proverbs 15:23 ESV / 22 helpful votes

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

1 Peter 3:10 ESV / 21 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;

Luke 1:37 ESV / 21 helpful votes

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Proverbs 27:6 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Proverbs 25:11 ESV / 21 helpful votes

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

Psalm 105:1 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!

Romans 8:26 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

John 3:20 ESV / 20 helpful votes

For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

Proverbs 29:20 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

1 Timothy 3:1-16 ESV / 18 helpful votes

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? ...

Luke 17:3 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,

Matthew 18:1-35 ESV / 18 helpful votes

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, ...

Psalm 34:13 ESV / 18 helpful votes

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

Ephesians 6:12 ESV / 17 helpful votes

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Job 29:12 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Because I delivered the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to help him.

Titus 3:1-2 ESV / 16 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.

Luke 11:28 ESV / 16 helpful votes

But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

Matthew 6:24 ESV / 15 helpful votes

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Proverbs 26:20 ESV / 15 helpful votes

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

Revelation 1:1-20 ESV / 14 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood ...

1 John 5:1-21 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? ...

Colossians 3:17 ESV / 14 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.

Ephesians 4:26 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

Revelation 1:2 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.

Acts 5:27-42 ESV / 11 helpful votes

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. ...

John 6:67-71 ESV / 10 helpful votes

So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.

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