100 Bible Verses about Speaking

Proverbs 13:3 ESV / 197 helpful votes

Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 192 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.

James 1:19 ESV / 158 helpful votes

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

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 136 helpful votes

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

Ephesians 5:4 ESV / 130 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 125 helpful votes

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

Matthew 12:37 ESV / 96 helpful votes

For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Psalm 141:3 ESV / 95 helpful votes

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

James 1:26 ESV / 94 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 29:11 ESV / 86 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 15:28 ESV / 85 helpful votes

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

Proverbs 17:28 ESV / 70 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 15:4 ESV / 68 helpful votes

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

James 3:8-10 ESV / 58 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.

Matthew 12:36 ESV / 54 helpful votes

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

Titus 3:2 ESV / 51 helpful votes

To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

1 Peter 3:9 ESV / 49 helpful votes

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

Proverbs 25:11 ESV / 48 helpful votes

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

1 Peter 3:10 ESV / 43 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;

Ephesians 4:25 ESV / 39 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.

Proverbs 17:27 ESV / 37 helpful votes

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

James 3:5 ESV / 35 helpful votes

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!

James 3:2 ESV / 35 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.

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 35 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 31:26 ESV / 34 helpful votes

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Ecclesiastes 10:20 ESV / 31 helpful votes

Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.

Ecclesiastes 3:7 ESV / 30 helpful votes

A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

Proverbs 26:28 ESV / 30 helpful votes

A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Proverbs 19:1 ESV / 30 helpful votes

Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.

Proverbs 18:6 ESV / 30 helpful votes

A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.

Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV / 30 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.

1 Peter 3:15 ESV / 28 helpful votes

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Proverbs 15:2 ESV / 28 helpful votes

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

Ephesians 4:31 ESV / 27 helpful votes

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Proverbs 15:26 ESV / 27 helpful votes

The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure.

Proverbs 10:31 ESV / 27 helpful votes

The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 26 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 14:3 ESV / 25 helpful votes

By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

Proverbs 10:32 ESV / 25 helpful votes

The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

1 Corinthians 14:1-40 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. ...

Psalm 19:14 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

1 Peter 2:12 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Acts 2:1-47 ESV / 23 helpful votes

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ...

Proverbs 15:7 ESV / 23 helpful votes

The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.

Proverbs 12:23 ESV / 23 helpful votes

A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

Matthew 18:15 ESV / 22 helpful votes

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.

Matthew 12:35 ESV / 22 helpful votes

The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.

Ecclesiastes 7:22 ESV / 22 helpful votes

Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.

Psalm 119:172 ESV / 22 helpful votes

My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right.

Proverbs 21:23 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

1 Peter 2:1 ESV / 20 helpful votes

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

Romans 3:13 ESV / 19 helpful votes

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

Zechariah 8:16 ESV / 19 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;

Psalm 70:3 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Let them turn back because of their shame who say, “Aha, Aha!”

Psalm 34:13 ESV / 19 helpful votes

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

Luke 6:45 ESV / 18 helpful votes

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Matthew 5:22 ESV / 18 helpful votes

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.

Ecclesiastes 10:12 ESV / 18 helpful votes

The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

Proverbs 18:13 ESV / 18 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 16:24 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Proverbs 15:23 ESV / 18 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 10:11 ESV / 18 helpful votes

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Acts 11:15 ESV / 17 helpful votes

As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.

Matthew 6:7 ESV / 17 helpful votes

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Isaiah 55:11 ESV / 17 helpful votes

So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Proverbs 29:20 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

Proverbs 12:6 ESV / 17 helpful votes

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them.

Proverbs 11:9 ESV / 17 helpful votes

With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

Romans 10:17 ESV / 16 helpful votes

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Proverbs 27:6 ESV / 16 helpful votes

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

Genesis 1:3 ESV / 16 helpful votes

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Revelation 14:5 ESV / 15 helpful votes

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

Acts 2:38 ESV / 15 helpful votes

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 19:28 ESV / 15 helpful votes

A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

James 4:11 ESV / 14 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.

1 Corinthians 6:10 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 14 helpful votes

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Ecclesiastes 10:14 ESV / 14 helpful votes

A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?

Ecclesiastes 9:17 ESV / 14 helpful votes

The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.

Proverbs 30:10 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Do not slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.

Proverbs 26:4 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.

Proverbs 18:7 ESV / 14 helpful votes

A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

Proverbs 14:25 ESV / 14 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 12:17-19 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Proverbs 12:13 ESV / 14 helpful votes

An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 13 helpful votes

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

1 Corinthians 14:35 ESV / 13 helpful votes

If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

Matthew 5:34-37 ESV / 13 helpful votes

But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

Amos 5:13 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time, for it is an evil time.

Proverbs 24:2 ESV / 13 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 12:14 ESV / 13 helpful votes

From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.

James 3:13 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

Philippians 1:27 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

Isaiah 38:14 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Like a swallow or a crane I chirp; I moan like a dove. My eyes are weary with looking upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my pledge of safety!

Acts 14:1 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.

John 14:27 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 11 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.

Ecclesiastes 12:9-11 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd.

Romans 8:26 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

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