What Does the Bible Say About Speaking?
Here are 13 Bible verses about speaking, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #1Proverbs 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.
- #2Ephesians 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.
- #3James 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,
- #4Colossians 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.
- #5Ephesians 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.
- #6Proverbs 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.
- #7Matthew 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.”
- #8Psalms 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.
- #9James 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.
- #10Proverbs 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.
- #11Proverbs 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.
- #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.
- #13Proverbs 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.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).