Topical Bible

What Does the Bible Say About Idle Talk?

Here are 18 Bible verses about idle talk, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.

  1. #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.

  2. #2Matthew 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.

  3. #3Ephesians 5:4

    Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

    BSBNor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving.

  4. #4Proverbs 10:19

    In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

    BSBWhen words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

  5. #51 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.

  6. #62 Timothy 2:16

    But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

    BSBBut avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,

  7. #7James 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.

  8. #8Proverbs 15:2

    The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

    BSBThe tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

  9. #92 Timothy 2:14-16

    Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

    BSBRemind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin. Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth. But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,

  10. #10Titus 1:10

    For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

    BSBFor many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision,

  11. #11Proverbs 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.

  12. #12Proverbs 17:28

    Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

    BSBEven a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.

  13. #13James 3:5-6

    Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

    BSBIn the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

  14. #14Ecclesiastes 5:3

    For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.

    BSBAs a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words.

  15. #15Proverbs 15:28

    The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

    BSBThe heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.

  16. #16Proverbs 16:28

    A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

    BSBA perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.

  17. #17Psalms 141:3

    Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

    BSBSet a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.

  18. #181 Timothy 6:20

    O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

    BSBO Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,”

Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).

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