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100 Bible Verses about I Am Only Joking

Proverbs 26:18-19 ESV / 566 helpful votes

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

Ephesians 5:4 ESV / 202 helpful votes

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 182 helpful votes

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Proverbs 14:9 ESV / 110 helpful votes

Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance.

Colossians 3:8 ESV / 107 helpful votes

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Ephesians 4:25 ESV / 95 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.

James 1:26 ESV / 85 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 10:23 ESV / 82 helpful votes

Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.

Proverbs 15:2 ESV / 77 helpful votes

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

Matthew 12:36 ESV / 73 helpful votes

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

Proverbs 29:9 ESV / 72 helpful votes

If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.

Proverbs 29:11 ESV / 64 helpful votes

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Proverbs 15:1-33 ESV / 62 helpful votes

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. ...

Zechariah 8:16 ESV / 52 helpful votes

These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace;

Proverbs 16:28 ESV / 47 helpful votes

A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

Proverbs 18:8 ESV / 46 helpful votes

The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

1 Peter 4:8 ESV / 45 helpful votes

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Romans 12:2 ESV / 44 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Proverbs 26:24-26 ESV / 40 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.

Proverbs 26:20 ESV / 40 helpful votes

For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.

Psalm 15:3 ESV / 38 helpful votes

Who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

Ecclesiastes 7:9 ESV / 36 helpful votes

Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 36 helpful votes

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 14:13 ESV / 33 helpful votes

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.

James 1:19 ESV / 32 helpful votes

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

Proverbs 26:22 ESV / 32 helpful votes

The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

John 6:24-35 ESV / 30 helpful votes

So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” ...

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 29 helpful votes

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Proverbs 27:1-27 ESV / 25 helpful votes

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both. Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? Better is open rebuke than hidden love. ...

2 Timothy 2:16 ESV / 24 helpful votes

But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,

Matthew 5:21-24 ESV / 24 helpful votes

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Ecclesiastes 7:6 ESV / 24 helpful votes

For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fools; this also is vanity.

Proverbs 26:19 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”

Proverbs 17:22 ESV / 22 helpful votes

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 21 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Ecclesiastes 10:12-14 ESV / 20 helpful votes

The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness. A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?

Proverbs 26:18 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death

Proverbs 26:1 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.

Proverbs 26:1-28 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool. Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. ...

Proverbs 18:2 ESV / 19 helpful votes

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

Proverbs 18:1-24 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace. The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice. ...

Proverbs 26:21 ESV / 18 helpful votes

As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

Proverbs 24:1-34 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble. By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, ...

Proverbs 15:4 ESV / 18 helpful votes

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

James 4:16 ESV / 16 helpful votes

As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

Matthew 12:36-37 ESV / 16 helpful votes

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Proverbs 20:3 ESV / 16 helpful votes

It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.

Job 8:21 ESV / 16 helpful votes

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 15 helpful votes

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

James 4:11 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 12 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Matthew 5:37 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

Ecclesiastes 10:19 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 ESV / 12 helpful votes

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Proverbs 25:18 ESV / 12 helpful votes

A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.

Proverbs 20:19 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.

Proverbs 17:28 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 15:21 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.

Proverbs 15:13 ESV / 12 helpful votes

A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 12 helpful votes

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 3:1-35 ESV / 12 helpful votes

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. ...

Proverbs 24:28 ESV / 11 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 16:1-33 ESV / 11 helpful votes

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished. ...

Proverbs 15:22 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 29:1-27 ESV / 10 helpful votes

He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing. When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down. A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. ...

Proverbs 22:1-29 ESV / 10 helpful votes

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all. The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it. The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them. ...

Proverbs 19:1-29 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool. Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way. When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord. Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend. A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape. ...

Proverbs 9:1-18 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. ...

Proverbs 13:1-25 ESV / 9 helpful votes

A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence. Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace. ...

Proverbs 8:1-36 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: “To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. ...

Proverbs 1:26 ESV / 9 helpful votes

I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you,

Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 8 helpful votes

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. ...

Ecclesiastes 7:3 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.

Proverbs 27:11 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me.

Proverbs 26:10 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.

Proverbs 24:10 ESV / 8 helpful votes

If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

Proverbs 18:11 ESV / 8 helpful votes

A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.

Proverbs 15:23 ESV / 8 helpful votes

To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!

Proverbs 15:5 ESV / 8 helpful votes

A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

Proverbs 11:1-31 ESV / 8 helpful votes

A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness. ...

Proverbs 5:1-23 ESV / 8 helpful votes

My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge. For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol; ...

Job 9:23 ESV / 8 helpful votes

When disaster brings sudden death, he mocks at the calamity of the innocent.

Romans 8:24-25 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Proverbs 28:1-28 ESV / 7 helpful votes

The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue. A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food. Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them. Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely. ...

Proverbs 26:9 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

Proverbs 26:7 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

Proverbs 18:13 ESV / 7 helpful votes

If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

Proverbs 17:1-28 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife. A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers. The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts. An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue. Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. ...

Proverbs 14:1-35 ESV / 7 helpful votes

The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down. Whoever walks in uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is devious in his ways despises him. By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them. Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox. A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. ...

Proverbs 7:1-27 ESV / 7 helpful votes

My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend, to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words. ...

John 3:2 ESV / 6 helpful votes

This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”

Proverbs 27:14 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing.

Proverbs 27:2 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

Proverbs 26:5 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Proverbs 26:3 ESV / 6 helpful votes

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.

Proverbs 26:2 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.

Proverbs 24:12 ESV / 6 helpful votes

If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?

Proverbs 24:2 ESV / 6 helpful votes

For their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble.

Proverbs 6:1-35 ESV / 6 helpful votes

My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger, if you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor: go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor. Give your eyes no sleep and your eyelids no slumber; save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the hand of the fowler. ...

Proverbs 1:1-33 ESV / 6 helpful votes

The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, ...

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