Speech

Speech is a frequent subject in the Bible. This page lists verses on the power of the tongue, words that build up, restraining the tongue, coarse and careless words, and words that come from the heart.

The power of the tongue

• Proverbs 18:21
  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
  Show context · Read Proverbs 18 →
• Proverbs 12:18
  There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
  Show context · Read Proverbs 12 →
• James 3:5-6
  ⁵Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! ⁶And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
  Show context · Read James 3 →
• James 3:8-10
  ⁸But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. ¹⁰Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
  Show context · Read James 3 →

Words that build up

• Ephesians 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.
  Show context · Read Ephesians 4 →
• Colossians 4:6
  Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
  Show context · Read Colossians 4 →
• Proverbs 16:24
  Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
  Show context · Read Proverbs 16 →
• Proverbs 25:11
  A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
  Show context · Read Proverbs 25 →

Restraining the tongue

• Proverbs 10:19
  In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
  Show context · Read Proverbs 10 →
• Proverbs 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.
  Show context · Read Proverbs 17 →
• Proverbs 21:23
  Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
  Show context · Read Proverbs 21 →
• James 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.
  Show context · Read James 1 →
• Psalm 141:3
  Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
  Show context · Read Psalm 141 →

Coarse and careless words

• Ephesians 5:4
  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
  Show context · Read Ephesians 5 →
• Colossians 3:8
  But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
  Show context · Read Colossians 3 →
• Matthew 12:36-37
  ³⁶But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. ³⁷For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
  Show context · Read Matthew 12 →
• Exodus 20:7
  Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
  Show context · Read Exodus 20 →

Words from the heart

• Luke 6:45
  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
  Show context · Read Luke 6 →
• Matthew 15:18
  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
  Show context · Read Matthew 15 →
• Psalm 19:14
  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
  Show context · Read Psalm 19 →

See also

• Gossip
• Lying
• Anger

Notes

1. Verses are quoted in the translation chosen in the Translation menu at the top of the page. See Translations for sources and copyright notices.
2. Each reference links to the full chapter so the verse can be read in context.