Topical Bible

What Does the Bible Say About Profanity?

Here are 15 Bible verses about profanity, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.

  1. #1Colossians 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.

  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. #3Exodus 20:7

    Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

    BSBYou shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.

  4. #4Ephesians 5:4-7

    Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

    BSBNor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.

  5. #5James 3:10

    Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

    BSBOut of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!

  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. #7Proverbs 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.

  8. #8Psalms 34:13

    Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

    BSBKeep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.

  9. #9Matthew 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.”

  10. #10Ephesians 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.

  11. #111 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.

  12. #121 Thessalonians 5:22

    Abstain from all appearance of evil.

    BSBAbstain from every form of evil.

  13. #13Romans 12:2

    And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

    BSBDo not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

  14. #14Romans 12:1

    I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

    BSBTherefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

  15. #151 Peter 5:8

    Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

    BSBBe sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

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

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