Bible Verses about Speaking

The bible is full of verses about speaking. Whether it’s speaking things into existence, speaking truth, or speaking up against injustice, the bible has a lot to say on the power of our words. That’s why we’ve collected some of the best bible verses about speaking, so you can start using your words for good!

Proverbs 13:3 Solomon says careful words protect your life in this Bible verse about speaking.

(ESV)  Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
(KJV)  He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
(MSG)  Careful words make for a careful life; careless talk may ruin everything.
(NIV)  Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
(NLT)  Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.

Ephesians 4:29 The Apostle Paul says used your words to build up others in this scripture quote about speaking.

(ESV)  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.
(KJV)  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.
(MSG)  Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
(NIV)  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
(NLT)  Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

James 1:19 James, the brother of Jesus, says we must be slow to speak in this biblical quote about godly speech.

(ESV)  Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
(KJV)  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
(MSG)  Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear.
(NIV)  My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
(NLT)  Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

James 1:26 This Bible verse says a religious person must bridle his tongue and use speak with wisdom.

(ESV)  If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
(KJV)  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.
(MSG)  Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air.
(NIV)  Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
(NLT)  If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.

Colossians 4:6 Paul the Apostle says the speech of a Christian must be gracious and seasoned with salt in this Bible verse on speaking.

(ESV)  Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
(KJV)  Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
(MSG)  Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.
(NIV)  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
(NLT)  Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Ephesians 5:4 Christians must not make crude jokes or foolish talk according to this biblical quote about words and speaking. This is an excellent Bible verse against profanity.

(ESV)  Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
(KJV)  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
(MSG)  Though some tongues just love the taste of gossip, Christians have better uses for language than that. Don’t talk dirty or silly. That kind of talk doesn’t fit our style. Thanksgiving is our dialect.
(NIV)  Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
(NLT)  Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.

Proverbs 15:1 This classic speaking Bible reference says a soft answer can turn away wrath. This is a scripture passage against abusive language.

(ESV)  A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
(KJV)  A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
(MSG)  A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.
(NIV)  A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
(NLT)  A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

Matthew 12:37 Jesus Christ says by our words we will be justified or condemned by God in this Bible quote about speaking.

(ESV)  for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
(KJV)  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
(MSG)  Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.”
(NIV)  For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
(NLT)  The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

Psalm 141:3 King David prays to the LORD to guard his mount against evil speaking in this Bible verse.

(ESV)  Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!
(KJV)  Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
(MSG)  Post a guard at my mouth, GOD, set a watch at the door of my lips.
(NIV)  Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.
(NLT)  Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips.

Proverbs 29:11 Solomon says a fool speaks everything on his mind and gives vent to his spirit in this scripture quote about wise speaking.

(ESV)  A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
(KJV)  A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
(MSG)  A fool lets it all hang out; a sage quietly mulls it over.
(NIV)  Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.
(NLT)  Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.

Titus 3:2 Paul the Apostle tells Saint Titus to speak evil of no one in this Bible verse about kind words.

(ESV)  to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
(KJV)  To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
(MSG)  No insults, no fights. God’s people should be bighearted and courteous.
(NIV)  to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
(NLT)  They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.

James 3:8-10 This is the Bible verse that calls the tongue a restless evil and Christian ethics requires the Holy Spirit to tame the tongues speaking.

James 3:8
(ESV)  but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
(KJV)  But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
(MSG)  but you can’t tame a tongue—it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer.
(NIV)  but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
(NLT)  but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison..

James 3:9
(ESV)  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
(KJV)  Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
(MSG)  With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image.
(NIV)  With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.
(NLT)  Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.

James 3:10
(ESV)  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
(KJV)  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
(MSG)  Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on.
(NIV)  Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
(NLT)  And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!

Share Your Favorite Bible Verse about Speaking

The bible is packed with verses about the power of speaking. We’ve just scratched the surface, but we hope these verses have inspired you to speak up for what’s right and use your words to make a difference in the world. What are some of your favorite bible verses about speaking? Share them in the comments below and let us know how you plan on using your voice for good!

Biblical Advice on Using Kind Words

The Old Testament is full of examples of people using kind words to communicate with others. One well-known example is when Abraham speaks kindly to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah in an attempt to save their lives (Genesis 18:23-33). Another instance is when Moses reminds the Israelites to use kind words towards one another, so that they may be blessed (Deuteronomy 32:6).

Using kind words is obviously important in the eyes of God, and we see from these examples that it can be a powerful tool for good. We should always try to use kind words when communicating with others, as it can make a big difference in the outcome of the conversation.

Answer: The New Testament says that we should use kind words because they are a reflection of our inner beauty. “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Matthew 12:35)

Words are very powerful, and they can be used to build people up or tear them down. When we use kind words, we are sending a message that we care about the person we are speaking to, and that we want them to feel loved and supported. Kind words also help to create a positive atmosphere, which is beneficial for both the speaker and the listener.

Further Bible Study on Speaking and Positive Words

https://dailyverses.net/speaking
https://www.openbible.info/topics/speaking
https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Speaking
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Speaking/
https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-the-tongue/
https://stillfaith.com/topics/speaking-in-tongues/
https://www.verseoftheday.com/topics/speech/
https://www.jollynotes.com/bible-verses/10-encouraging-bible-verses-about-public-speaking-what-does-the-bible-say-about-public-speaking/
https://bernettastyle.com/2015/11/5-scriptures-about-speaking-things-into-existence.html
https://connectusfund.org/30-important-bible-scriptures-on-speaking-in-tongues