What Does the Bible Say About Gossip and Lies?
Here are 20 Bible verses about Gossip and Lies, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #1Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
BSBLet no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.
- #2Proverbs 6:16-19
These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
BSBThere are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers.
- #3Proverbs 16:28
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
BSBA perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
- #4Proverbs 21:23
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
BSBHe who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
- #5James 1:26
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
BSBIf anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.
- #6Proverbs 20:19
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
BSBHe who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
- #7Matthew 12:36
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
BSBBut I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
- #8Psalms 101:5
Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
BSBWhoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure.
- #9Psalms 34:13
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
BSBKeep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.
- #10Titus 3:2
To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
BSBto malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.
- #11Proverbs 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.
- #12Proverbs 26:20
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
BSBWithout wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases.
- #13Proverbs 11:13
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
BSBA gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
- #14Proverbs 17:4
A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
BSBA wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.
- #15James 4:11
Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
BSBBrothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it.
- #16Leviticus 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.
- #17Exodus 23:1
Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
BSB“You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness.
- #181 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.
- #19Romans 1:29
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
BSBThey have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips,
- #20Proverbs 10:18
He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
BSBThe one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).