Topical Bible

What Does the Bible Say About Our Speech?

Here are 14 Bible verses about our speech, 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. #2Colossians 4:6

    Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

    BSBLet your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

  3. #3Matthew 15:11

    Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

    BSBA man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”

  4. #4Psalms 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.

  5. #5Proverbs 15:1-2

    A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

    BSBA gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

  6. #6Proverbs 15:4

    A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

    BSBA soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

  7. #7Proverbs 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.

  8. #8Proverbs 16:24

    Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

    BSBPleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

  9. #9Ephesians 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.

  10. #10Matthew 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.

  11. #11James 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,

  12. #12James 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.

  13. #13Proverbs 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.

  14. #14Proverbs 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.

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

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