Topical Bible

What Does the Bible Say About Idle Words?

Here are 23 Bible verses about idle words, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.

  1. #1Matthew 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.

  2. #2Proverbs 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.

  3. #3Matthew 12:36-37

    But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

    BSBBut I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

  4. #4James 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.

  5. #52 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,

  6. #6Proverbs 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.

  7. #7Ephesians 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.

  8. #8Ephesians 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.

  9. #9Colossians 3:8

    But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

    BSBBut now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

  10. #10Psalms 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.

  11. #11Proverbs 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.

  12. #12James 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.

  13. #13Proverbs 13:3

    He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

    BSBHe who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

  14. #14Proverbs 17:27-28

    He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

    BSBA man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit. Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.

  15. #15Titus 3:9

    But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

    BSBBut avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.

  16. #16James 3:6

    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.

    BSBThe 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.

  17. #17Ecclesiastes 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.

  18. #18Proverbs 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.

  19. #191 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.

  20. #20Proverbs 18:21

    Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

    BSBLife and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

  21. #21Titus 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.

  22. #22Proverbs 25:11

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

    BSBA word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

  23. #23Matthew 12:37

    For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

    BSBFor by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

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

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