100 Bible Verses about Foul Language

Ephesians 5:4 ESV / 664 helpful votes

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

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 588 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 3:8 ESV / 339 helpful votes

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

Colossians 3:8-10 ESV / 329 helpful votes

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 267 helpful votes

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

Exodus 20:7 ESV / 250 helpful votes

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

Matthew 12:37 ESV / 231 helpful votes

For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Matthew 12:36 ESV / 207 helpful votes

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

James 3:10 ESV / 197 helpful votes

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

Matthew 15:10-11 ESV / 193 helpful votes

And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

2 Timothy 2:16 ESV / 182 helpful votes

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

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 149 helpful votes

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Romans 12:2 ESV / 114 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

James 1:26 ESV / 110 helpful votes

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

Titus 2:12 ESV / 104 helpful votes

Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

1 Peter 3:10 ESV / 99 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;

Deuteronomy 5:11 ESV / 97 helpful votes

“‘You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

Proverbs 21:23 ESV / 94 helpful votes

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

Matthew 15:11 ESV / 92 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.”

Matthew 5:22 ESV / 89 helpful votes

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Proverbs 15:4 ESV / 88 helpful votes

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

Luke 6:45 ESV / 86 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 18:21 ESV / 81 helpful votes

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

James 1:19 ESV / 76 helpful votes

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

Matthew 12:36-37 ESV / 75 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.”

Romans 12:14 ESV / 73 helpful votes

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

Matthew 12:34 ESV / 71 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.

Proverbs 8:13 ESV / 70 helpful votes

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

James 3:8 ESV / 69 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 13:3 ESV / 60 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 4:24 ESV / 60 helpful votes

Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.

James 5:12 ESV / 59 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.

Colossians 3:5 ESV / 58 helpful votes

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Psalm 19:14 ESV / 58 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.

Luke 6:28 ESV / 56 helpful votes

Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

Luke 1:37 ESV / 56 helpful votes

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Psalm 39:1 ESV / 56 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 3:1-18 ESV / 54 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! ...

Colossians 3:1-25 ESV / 54 helpful votes

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ...

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 53 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 11:13 ESV / 53 helpful votes

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

Matthew 5:16 ESV / 52 helpful votes

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Acts 2:38 ESV / 51 helpful votes

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 5:21-26 ESV / 50 helpful votes

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. ...

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 50 helpful votes

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

John 1:1 ESV / 49 helpful votes

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Matthew 5:33-37 ESV / 49 helpful votes

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

Ephesians 4:25-30 ESV / 48 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. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 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. ...

Isaiah 6:5 ESV / 48 helpful votes

And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 47 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Ephesians 5:1-33 ESV / 46 helpful votes

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ...

Ephesians 4:30 ESV / 46 helpful votes

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Ephesians 5:3-4 ESV / 45 helpful votes

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

John 14:6 ESV / 45 helpful votes

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Mark 9:47-48 ESV / 45 helpful votes

And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’

Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 45 helpful votes

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

John 16:33 ESV / 44 helpful votes

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Proverbs 14:5 ESV / 43 helpful votes

A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.

Ephesians 4:24 ESV / 42 helpful votes

And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Proverbs 6:2 ESV / 41 helpful votes

If you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth,

Leviticus 19:12 ESV / 41 helpful votes

You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.

Proverbs 4:23 ESV / 40 helpful votes

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Colossians 1:1-29 ESV / 39 helpful votes

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, ...

Psalm 141:3 ESV / 39 helpful votes

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

1 Peter 5:7 ESV / 38 helpful votes

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

1 Peter 1:15 ESV / 38 helpful votes

But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 38 helpful votes

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Matthew 5:37 ESV / 38 helpful votes

Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

James 3:9-12 ESV / 37 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. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

Ephesians 4:28 ESV / 37 helpful votes

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

Luke 12:10 ESV / 36 helpful votes

And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 35 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,

Ephesians 6:17 ESV / 35 helpful votes

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

1 Corinthians 3:16 ESV / 35 helpful votes

Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?

Romans 3:13-14 ESV / 35 helpful votes

“Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”

John 3:16-17 ESV / 35 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.

Psalm 34:12-14 ESV / 35 helpful votes

What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

James 3:5-6 ESV / 34 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.

Colossians 4:1-18 ESV / 34 helpful votes

Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. ...

Ephesians 4:26-27 ESV / 34 helpful votes

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

Ephesians 4:25 ESV / 34 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.

Acts 17:10-11 ESV / 34 helpful votes

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 34 helpful votes

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Romans 8:31 ESV / 33 helpful votes

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Matthew 5:13 ESV / 33 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.

1 Timothy 6:20 ESV / 32 helpful votes

O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV / 31 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.

Psalm 34:13-14 ESV / 31 helpful votes

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

James 1:20 ESV / 30 helpful votes

For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Ephesians 5:3 ESV / 30 helpful votes

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

1 John 1:9 ESV / 29 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Galatians 5:16 ESV / 29 helpful votes

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV / 28 helpful votes

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Exodus 20:1-26 ESV / 28 helpful votes

And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, ...

Colossians 3:23 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

2 Corinthians 13:14 ESV / 23 helpful votes

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Romans 8:28 ESV / 22 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Jude 1:10 ESV / 20 helpful votes

But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.

James 2:7 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?

Proverbs 3:5 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

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