What Does the Bible Say About Being Quiet?

Proverbs 17:28 ESV / 108 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 11:12 ESV / 103 helpful votes

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.

James 1:19 ESV / 102 helpful votes

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

Psalm 4:4 ESV / 71 helpful votes

Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

Exodus 14:14 ESV / 68 helpful votes

The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Proverbs 29:11 ESV / 60 helpful votes

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

Job 6:24 ESV / 55 helpful votes

“Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray.

Proverbs 10:8 ESV / 53 helpful votes

The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.

1 Peter 3:3-4 ESV / 43 helpful votes

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 ESV / 40 helpful votes

And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

Proverbs 18:13 ESV / 37 helpful votes

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

Lamentations 3:26 ESV / 36 helpful votes

It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

James 3:1-18 ESV / 30 helpful votes

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 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. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 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! ...

Psalm 46:10 ESV / 18 helpful votes

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Isaiah 26:3 ESV / 17 helpful votes

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Psalm 37:7 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

Psalm 35:20 ESV / 16 helpful votes

For they do not speak peace, but against those who are quiet in the land they devise words of deceit.

Proverbs 13:10 ESV / 15 helpful votes

By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.

1 Kings 19:11-12 ESV / 15 helpful votes

And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.

Isaiah 30:15 ESV / 10 helpful votes

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling,

Job 2:13 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 7 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.

Psalm 22:23 ESV / 7 helpful votes

You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!

Colossians 4:5-6 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 6 helpful votes

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. ...

Matthew 4:18-20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

26 Bible Verses about Being Quiet