74 Bible Verses about Keeping Quiet

James 1:19 ESV / 199 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 13:3 ESV / 176 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 17:28 ESV / 174 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 170 helpful votes

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

Ecclesiastes 3:7 ESV / 150 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 21:23 ESV / 137 helpful votes

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

Amos 5:13 ESV / 136 helpful votes

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

1 Peter 3:10 ESV / 121 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;

Proverbs 29:11 ESV / 119 helpful votes

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

Psalm 141:3 ESV / 112 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 11:12 ESV / 108 helpful votes

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

Matthew 12:36 ESV / 92 helpful votes

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

Titus 3:2 ESV / 80 helpful votes

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

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 68 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.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 ESV / 52 helpful votes

And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 52 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 18:13 ESV / 46 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 36 helpful votes

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

Job 13:5 ESV / 28 helpful votes

Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom!

Psalm 46:10 ESV / 17 helpful votes

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

John 7:17 ESV / 16 helpful votes

If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.

Proverbs 11:12-13 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

James 3:2-12 ESV / 12 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. 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! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. ...

Proverbs 25:28 ESV / 12 helpful votes

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

Proverbs 15:28 ESV / 12 helpful votes

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

Matthew 12:36-37 ESV / 8 helpful votes

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Proverbs 25:27-28 ESV / 8 helpful votes

It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory. A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

Proverbs 25:11 ESV / 8 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 15:1-2 ESV / 8 helpful votes

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

Matthew 16:28 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Titus 1:9-11 ESV / 6 helpful votes

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.

Acts 2:25 ESV / 6 helpful votes

For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;

Matthew 4:4 ESV / 6 helpful votes

But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

2 Samuel 20:20 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Joab answered, “Far be it from me, far be it, that I should swallow up or destroy!

1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 5 helpful votes

If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

John 14:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,

Mark 1:1-16:20 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. ...

Ecclesiastes 5:2 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

Psalm 90:1-17 ESV / 5 helpful votes

A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!” For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: ...

Psalm 16:8 ESV / 5 helpful votes

I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

1 Peter 5:3-6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

James 3:5-6 ESV / 4 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! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.

James 3:3-8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

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! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, ...

James 3:3-10 ESV / 4 helpful votes

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! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, ...

James 3:2 ESV / 4 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.

James 3:2-8 ESV / 4 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. 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! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. ...

James 3:2-10 ESV / 4 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. 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! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. ...

Colossians 3:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Mark 5:41 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”

Matthew 7:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

Zephaniah 3:17 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Isaiah 65:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here I am, here I am,” to a nation that was not called by my name.

Proverbs 29:20 ESV / 4 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 19:11 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 14:33 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.

Proverbs 14:23 ESV / 4 helpful votes

In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.

Proverbs 14:17 ESV / 4 helpful votes

A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.

Psalm 44:1-45:17 ESV / 4 helpful votes

To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah. O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old: you with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted; you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free; for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them. You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob! Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us. ...

Psalm 39:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.”

Psalm 34:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

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

Job 2:13 ESV / 4 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.

2 Peter 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

As he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.

1 Corinthians 14:1-40 ESV / 3 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. ...

Matthew 25:1-46 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. ...

Matthew 4:1-11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple ...

Psalm 94:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The Lord—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.

1 John 5:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

1 John 4:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Hebrews 2:1-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. ...

1 Corinthians 3:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

Luke 22:54-62 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” ...

Matthew 18:1-35 ESV / 2 helpful votes

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, ...

Psalm 69:32 ESV / 2 helpful votes

When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive.

Deuteronomy 8:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

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