What Does the Bible Say About Busybodies?
Here are 19 Bible verses about busybodies, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #11 Timothy 5:13
And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
BSBAt the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention.
- #21 Thessalonians 4:11
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
BSBand to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.
- #32 Thessalonians 3:11
For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
BSBYet we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives and accomplishing nothing but being busybodies.
- #41 Peter 4:15
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
BSBIndeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler.
- #5Proverbs 20:3
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
BSBIt is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
- #6Leviticus 19:16
Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the Lord.
BSBYou must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD.
- #7Titus 2:3
The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
BSBOlder women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of good.
- #82 Thessalonians 3:6
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
BSBNow we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us.
- #91 Timothy 5:8
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
BSBIf anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
- #102 Thessalonians 3:12
Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
BSBWe command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.
- #11Proverbs 24:2
For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
BSBfor their hearts devise violence, and their lips declare trouble.
- #121 Peter 3:7
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
BSBHusbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
- #13Ephesians 5:1-33
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. …
BSBBe imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God. But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. …
- #14Proverbs 18:8
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
BSBThe words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
- #15Mark 7:6
He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
BSBJesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.
- #16Matthew 18:17
And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
BSBIf he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
- #17Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
BSBEvery word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
- #18Proverbs 18:9
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
BSBWhoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
- #192 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
BSBAll Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).