100 Bible Verses about Deceit

Psalm 101:7 ESV / 531 helpful votes

No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.

Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV / 467 helpful votes

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Proverbs 20:17 ESV / 446 helpful votes

Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.

Proverbs 26:24-26 ESV / 319 helpful votes

Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Psalm 120:2 ESV / 307 helpful votes

Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.

Romans 16:18 ESV / 287 helpful votes

For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV / 259 helpful votes

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Psalm 36:3 ESV / 232 helpful votes

The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good.

Colossians 2:8 ESV / 228 helpful votes

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Proverbs 19:9 ESV / 206 helpful votes

A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish.

Psalm 43:1 ESV / 202 helpful votes

Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me!

1 Peter 3:10 ESV / 184 helpful votes

For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;

Mark 7:20-23 ESV / 156 helpful votes

And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Psalm 10:7 ESV / 149 helpful votes

His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.

1 Peter 2:1 ESV / 146 helpful votes

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

Ephesians 5:6 ESV / 145 helpful votes

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Proverbs 24:28 ESV / 128 helpful votes

Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.

Proverbs 12:17 ESV / 128 helpful votes

Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.

2 Timothy 3:12-15 ESV / 124 helpful votes

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Jeremiah 9:6 ESV / 124 helpful votes

Heaping oppression upon oppression, and deceit upon deceit, they refuse to know me, declares the Lord.

Proverbs 12:5 ESV / 123 helpful votes

The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

Psalm 5:6 ESV / 120 helpful votes

You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

Proverbs 14:8 ESV / 115 helpful votes

The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.

Colossians 3:9-10 ESV / 112 helpful votes

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 108 helpful votes

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

2 Timothy 3:13 ESV / 107 helpful votes

While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

John 8:44 ESV / 98 helpful votes

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

1 Peter 2:22 ESV / 96 helpful votes

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.

Ephesians 4:14 ESV / 95 helpful votes

So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

Romans 3:13 ESV / 94 helpful votes

“Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.”

Job 15:35 ESV / 93 helpful votes

They conceive trouble and give birth to evil, and their womb prepares deceit.”

Job 27:4 ESV / 91 helpful votes

My lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.

2 Corinthians 4:2 ESV / 90 helpful votes

But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.

2 Corinthians 11:13 ESV / 86 helpful votes

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

Proverbs 14:25 ESV / 81 helpful votes

A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.

Psalm 32:2 ESV / 80 helpful votes

Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

2 Thessalonians 2:10 ESV / 78 helpful votes

And with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

Leviticus 19:11 ESV / 73 helpful votes

“You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.

Proverbs 27:6 ESV / 72 helpful votes

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Proverbs 11:18 ESV / 72 helpful votes

The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.

Psalm 35:20 ESV / 72 helpful votes

For they do not speak peace, but against those who are quiet in the land they devise words of deceit.

Exodus 20:16 ESV / 71 helpful votes

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

1 Thessalonians 2:3 ESV / 67 helpful votes

For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,

Romans 1:29 ESV / 67 helpful votes

They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,

2 John 1:7 ESV / 64 helpful votes

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.

Zephaniah 3:13 ESV / 64 helpful votes

Those who are left in Israel; they shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue. For they shall graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.”

Jeremiah 5:27 ESV / 64 helpful votes

Like a cage full of birds, their houses are full of deceit; therefore they have become great and rich;

Proverbs 12:22 ESV / 64 helpful votes

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.

Psalm 24:4 ESV / 64 helpful votes

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

Jeremiah 14:14 ESV / 63 helpful votes

And the Lord said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.

Colossians 3:9 ESV / 62 helpful votes

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices

Psalm 55:23 ESV / 61 helpful votes

But you, O God, will cast them down into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you.

Mark 7:22 ESV / 59 helpful votes

Coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.

Psalm 119:118 ESV / 58 helpful votes

You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain.

James 1:26 ESV / 57 helpful votes

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

Revelation 12:9 ESV / 56 helpful votes

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

1 Timothy 2:14 ESV / 55 helpful votes

And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.

James 1:22 ESV / 54 helpful votes

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Galatians 5:19-21 ESV / 54 helpful votes

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Jeremiah 9:5 ESV / 54 helpful votes

Everyone deceives his neighbor, and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves committing iniquity.

Matthew 24:24 ESV / 53 helpful votes

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV / 52 helpful votes

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Psalm 38:12 ESV / 52 helpful votes

Those who seek my life lay their snares; those who seek my hurt speak of ruin and meditate treachery all day long.

Ephesians 4:25 ESV / 51 helpful votes

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Mark 10:19 ESV / 51 helpful votes

You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’”

Psalm 52:2 ESV / 51 helpful votes

Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.

Jeremiah 8:5 ESV / 50 helpful votes

Why then has this people turned away in perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit; they refuse to return.

Isaiah 53:9 ESV / 50 helpful votes

And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.

2 Corinthians 11:3 ESV / 49 helpful votes

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

John 1:47 ESV / 49 helpful votes

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”

Revelation 22:15 ESV / 48 helpful votes

Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Genesis 3:4 ESV / 48 helpful votes

But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.

Revelation 14:5 ESV / 47 helpful votes

And in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.

John 8:32 ESV / 45 helpful votes

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Obadiah 1:3 ESV / 45 helpful votes

The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, “Who will bring me down to the ground?”

Jeremiah 23:26 ESV / 45 helpful votes

How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart,

Deuteronomy 11:16 ESV / 45 helpful votes

Take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them;

Hosea 11:12 ESV / 44 helpful votes

Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit, but Judah still walks with God and is faithful to the Holy One.

Obadiah 1:3-7 ESV / 43 helpful votes

The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, “Who will bring me down to the ground?” Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the Lord. If thieves came to you, if plunderers came by night— how you have been destroyed!— would they not steal only enough for themselves? If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave gleanings? How Esau has been pillaged, his treasures sought out! All your allies have driven you to your border; those at peace with you have deceived you; they have prevailed against you; those who eat your bread have set a trap beneath you— you have no understanding.

Proverbs 21:6 ESV / 42 helpful votes

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.

Psalm 12:2 ESV / 42 helpful votes

Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

Proverbs 26:24 ESV / 40 helpful votes

Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;

Matthew 7:15 ESV / 39 helpful votes

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

2 Peter 2:13 ESV / 38 helpful votes

Suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you.

John 14:6 ESV / 38 helpful votes

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Proverbs 14:5 ESV / 38 helpful votes

A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.

Psalm 72:14 ESV / 38 helpful votes

From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.

Proverbs 26:18-19 ESV / 37 helpful votes

Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”

Matthew 5:27-28 ESV / 36 helpful votes

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Psalm 119:163 ESV / 36 helpful votes

I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.

Job 31:5 ESV / 35 helpful votes

“If I have walked with falsehood and my foot has hastened to deceit;

Galatians 6:7 ESV / 34 helpful votes

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

John 1:14 ESV / 34 helpful votes

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jeremiah 5:28 ESV / 34 helpful votes

They have grown fat and sleek. They know no bounds in deeds of evil; they judge not with justice the cause of the fatherless, to make it prosper, and they do not defend the rights of the needy.

Jeremiah 9:7-9 ESV / 33 helpful votes

Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: “Behold, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do, because of my people? Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully; with his mouth each speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he plans an ambush for him. Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the Lord, and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?

1 John 4:1 ESV / 31 helpful votes

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 Peter 3:10-12 ESV / 31 helpful votes

For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Numbers 23:19 ESV / 31 helpful votes

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

James 3:18 ESV / 30 helpful votes

And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Jeremiah 37:9 ESV / 30 helpful votes

Thus says the Lord, Do not deceive yourselves, saying, “The Chaldeans will surely go away from us,” for they will not go away.

Suggest a Verse


Visit the Bible online to search for words if you don’t know the specific passage your’re looking for.