What Does the Bible Say About Keeping Quiet?
Here are 18 Bible verses about keeping quiet, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #1James 1:19
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
BSBMy beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
- #2Proverbs 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.
- #3Proverbs 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.
- #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.
- #5Ecclesiastes 3:7
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
BSBa time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
- #6Proverbs 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.
- #7Amos 5:13
Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.
BSBTherefore, the prudent keep silent in such times, for the days are evil.
- #81 Peter 3:10
For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
BSBFor, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.
- #9Proverbs 29:11
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
BSBA fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.
- #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.
- #11Proverbs 11:12
He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
BSBWhoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent.
- #12Matthew 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.
- #13Titus 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.
- #14Ephesians 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.
- #151 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.
- #16Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
BSBA gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
- #17Proverbs 18:13
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
BSBHe who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.
- #18Proverbs 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.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).