The Bible teaches that words have the power to build or destroy. Speaking with kindness and truth reflects inner strength and wisdom. Thoughtful speech fosters understanding and peace. Choose your words carefully, for they shape your character and influence the world around you.
Below is our full list of bible verses on speech (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Speech
Ephesians 4:29
“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.”
Related Themes: Gossip Criticism Complaining Judging Others Cursing
Psalm 141:3
“3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.”
Related Themes: Gossip Communication Silence Self-Control
Psalm 19:14
“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.”
Related Themes: Gossip Life Pleasing God Heart Communication
Psalm 49:3
“3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.”
Related Themes: Memory
Proverbs 18:13
“13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.”
Related Themes: Arguing Business Listening Communication Resolving Conflict
Proverbs 8:13
“13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”
Proverbs 18:21
“21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
Related Themes: Gossip Life New Life Self-Control Attitude
James 1:19
“19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”
Related Themes: Criticism Bitterness Frustration Patience Frustration
Proverbs 15:1
“1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
Related Themes: Arguing Criticism Bitterness Criticism Gossip
James 3:2-10
“2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!6 And 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.7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”
Related Themes: Gossip Humility Pride Perfection Idleness
Proverbs 16:24
“24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
Psalm 37:30-31
“30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.”
Related Themes: Wisdom
Proverbs 21:23
“23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.”
Related Themes: Gossip Resolving Conflict Arguing Self-Control Cursing
James 3:9-10
“9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”
Proverbs 15:4
“4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.”
Related Themes: Gossip Telling The Truth Gentleness Speaking Up Speaking
Ephesians 4:15
“15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Criticism Gossip Judging Others Resolving Conflict
Matthew 15:11
“11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.”
Colossians 3:17
“17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
Related Themes: Business Attitude Gratitude Thankfulness Dedication
James 5:12
“12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Education Oaths Idleness Swearing
Ecclesiastes 9:17
“17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.”
Matthew 12:36
“36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”
Related Themes: Gossip Idleness Fighting Slander Accountability
Acts 18:9-10
“9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.”
Related Themes: Vision Speaking Up
Psalm 36:3-4
“3 The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.4 He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.”
Related Themes: Deceit
2 Corinthians 8:7
“7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.”
Related Themes: Excellence Grace Diligence Benevolence Money
Psalm 34:13
“13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.”
Related Themes: Gossip Telling The Truth Lying Understanding Truth
Psalm 12:3-4
“3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?”
Proverbs 13:3
“3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”
Related Themes: Gossip Life Speaking Self-Control Wisdom
Proverbs 23:15-16
“15 My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.16 Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.”
Proverbs 20:15
“15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.”
2 Timothy 2:23
“23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.”
