34 Bible Verses about Words Hurt

Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 12 helpful votes

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

James 3:1-12 ESV / 7 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! ...

Romans 12:18 ESV / 7 helpful votes

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Proverbs 16:24 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

James 3:8 ESV / 6 helpful votes

But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

James 1:19 ESV / 6 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 6 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 6 helpful votes

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

Ephesians 4:1-32 ESV / 4 helpful votes

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ...

Galatians 2:11 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.

John 8:44 ESV / 4 helpful votes

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

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

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Revelation 20:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 3 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.

Matthew 12:34 ESV / 3 helpful votes

You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Matthew 6:14-15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 5:44 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Proverbs 19:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 19:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.

Proverbs 18:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 18:1-24 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace. The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice. ...

1 John 1:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

James 3:2 ESV / 2 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.

1 Corinthians 10:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

1 Corinthians 7:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that.

Romans 12:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Proverbs 16:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

Proverbs 11:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness. ...

James 3:17 ESV / 1 helpful vote

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

John 14:6 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 3:1-36 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ...

Matthew 10:16 ESV / 1 helpful vote

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Isaiah 40:1-31 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” ...

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