What Does the Bible Say About Watch Your Tongue?

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 6 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.

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 6 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 6 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 16:24 ESV / 5 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 13:3 ESV / 5 helpful votes

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

John 3:16 ESV / 4 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.

Matthew 12:34 ESV / 4 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 10:19 ESV / 4 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV / 4 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.

Psalm 19:14 ESV / 4 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 3:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

James 3:6 ESV / 3 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.

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 29:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

James 1:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Philippians 2:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Ephesians 5:4 ESV / 2 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 4:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

Romans 15:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Romans 10:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Romans 5:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 3:36 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Luke 6:45 ESV / 2 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.

Matthew 10:32 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,

Amos 1:1-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. And he said: “The Lord roars from Zion and utters his voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the top of Carmel withers.” Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have threshed Gilead with threshing sledges of iron. So I will send a fire upon the house of Hazael, and it shall devour the strongholds of Ben-hadad. I will break the gate-bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitants from the Valley of Aven, and him who holds the scepter from Beth-eden; and the people of Syria shall go into exile to Kir,” says the Lord. ...

Ecclesiastes 7:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.

Proverbs 25:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

Proverbs 25:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 21:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 18:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

Proverbs 18:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

Proverbs 17:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 15:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 15:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 11:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

Proverbs 10:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

Proverbs 10:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.

Proverbs 10:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Proverbs 8:1-36 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: “To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. ...

Psalm 119:1-176 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! ...

Psalm 39:1-13 ESV / 2 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.” I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse. My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah ...

Psalm 39:1 ESV / 2 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.”

Psalm 34:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

Psalm 19:1-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. ...

Job 40:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth.

47 Bible Verses about Watch Your Tongue

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 16:24 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 13:3 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 12:34 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 19:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 29:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 2:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 15:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 10:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 5:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:36 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 6:45 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 10:32 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Amos 1:1-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 7:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 25:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 25:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 21:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 17:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 15:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 15:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 11:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 10:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 10:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 10:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 8:1-36 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 119:1-176 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 39:1-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 39:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 34:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 19:1-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 40:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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