What Does the Bible Say About Profanity?

Colossians 3:8 ESV / 93 helpful votes

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

Matthew 12:36 ESV / 85 helpful votes

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

Exodus 20:7 ESV / 80 helpful votes

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

Ephesians 5:4-7 ESV / 78 helpful votes

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them;

James 3:10 ESV / 62 helpful votes

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

2 Timothy 2:16 ESV / 53 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 50 helpful votes

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

Psalm 34:13 ESV / 49 helpful votes

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

Matthew 15:11 ESV / 42 helpful votes

It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 38 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.

1 Peter 3:10 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;

1 Thessalonians 5:22 ESV / 29 helpful votes

Abstain from every form of evil.

Romans 12:2 ESV / 22 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.

Romans 12:1 ESV / 19 helpful votes

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 15 helpful votes

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

James 1:19 ESV / 14 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 11 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 12:16 ESV / 11 helpful votes

The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.

Deuteronomy 30:19 ESV / 11 helpful votes

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,

Revelation 9:18 ESV / 10 helpful votes

By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed, by the fire and smoke and sulfur coming out of their mouths.

2 John 1:9-11 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

2 Peter 3:3 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.

James 4:7 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Matthew 24:12 ESV / 9 helpful votes

And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

Revelation 3:14-22 ESV / 8 helpful votes

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. ...

Jude 1:7 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

2 Timothy 3:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

John 8:44 ESV / 7 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.

Ezekiel 22:19 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Therefore thus says the Lord God: Because you have all become dross, therefore, behold, I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem.

James 3:8-10 ESV / 6 helpful votes

But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

Hebrews 2:14 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

2 Timothy 3:1 ESV / 6 helpful votes

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.

Ephesians 5:6 ESV / 6 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.

Ezekiel 38:1-39:29 ESV / 6 helpful votes

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. And I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great host, all of them with buckler and shield, wielding swords. Persia, Cush, and Put are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; ...

Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes

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

James 1:22 ESV / 5 helpful votes

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

1 Thessalonians 4:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Romans 6:4 ESV / 5 helpful votes

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Romans 1:24 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,

Acts 17:11 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

John 4:24 ESV / 5 helpful votes

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Matthew 15:10-11 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

James 3:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

Matthew 24:37 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Daniel 2:44 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever,

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 4 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 4:24 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.

Psalm 59:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride. For the cursing and lies that they utter,

Psalm 14:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

To the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.

1 Timothy 4:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

Ephesians 4:1-32 ESV / 3 helpful votes

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ...

Ephesians 2:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

In which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

Romans 9:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay.”

Romans 1:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature;

John 3:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Luke 24:25 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

Mark 13:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.

Matthew 28:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 25:41 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Matthew 24:39 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Matthew 18:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 16:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

Zechariah 14:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the peoples that wage war against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.

Daniel 12:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.

Isaiah 28:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scoffers, who rule this people in Jerusalem!

Daniel 12:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

69 Bible Verses about Profanity

Colossians 3:8 ESV / 93 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 12:36 ESV / 85 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 20:7 ESV / 80 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:4-7 ESV / 78 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:10 ESV / 62 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 2:16 ESV / 53 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 50 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 34:13 ESV / 49 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 15:11 ESV / 42 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 38 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 3:10 ESV / 31 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 5:22 ESV / 29 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:2 ESV / 22 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:1 ESV / 19 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 18 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:19 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 12:16 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 30:19 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 9:18 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 John 1:9-11 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Peter 3:3 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:7 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 24:12 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 3:14-22 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jude 1:7 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 8:44 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ezekiel 22:19 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:8-10 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 2:14 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:1 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:6 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ezekiel 38:1-39:29 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 7:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:22 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 4:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 6:4 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 1:24 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 17:11 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 4:24 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 15:10-11 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 24:37 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Daniel 2:44 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 4:24 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 59:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 14:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 4:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:1-32 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 9:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 1:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 24:25 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 13:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 28:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 25:41 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 24:39 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 16:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Zechariah 14:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Daniel 12:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 28:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Daniel 12:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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