100 Bible Verses about Tongue

James 1:26 ESV / 1,596 helpful votes

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 1,488 helpful votes

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

1 Peter 3:10 ESV / 1,335 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 21:23 ESV / 1,324 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 1,275 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 15:4 ESV / 1,220 helpful votes

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 1,169 helpful votes

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

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 1,164 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.

James 3:8 ESV / 1,094 helpful votes

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

Psalm 34:13 ESV / 943 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 930 helpful votes

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

James 3:6 ESV / 923 helpful votes

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 3:1-18 ESV / 915 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! ...

James 3:5 ESV / 884 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!

Proverbs 13:3 ESV / 783 helpful votes

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

Psalm 141:3 ESV / 762 helpful votes

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

Matthew 12:36 ESV / 732 helpful votes

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

James 3:2 ESV / 681 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 14:1-40 ESV / 629 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. ...

Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV / 619 helpful votes

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Matthew 12:36-37 ESV / 616 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.”

Psalm 39:1 ESV / 615 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.”

James 3:1 ESV / 604 helpful votes

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

Proverbs 26:20 ESV / 604 helpful votes

For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.

Matthew 15:11 ESV / 601 helpful votes

It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 600 helpful votes

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Proverbs 15:28 ESV / 552 helpful votes

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

James 1:19 ESV / 543 helpful votes

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

James 3:9 ESV / 535 helpful votes

With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.

Proverbs 31:26 ESV / 525 helpful votes

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Matthew 12:37 ESV / 521 helpful votes

For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Proverbs 17:27-28 ESV / 520 helpful votes

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Psalm 19:14 ESV / 520 helpful votes

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Proverbs 17:27 ESV / 518 helpful votes

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 517 helpful votes

Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

Proverbs 29:20 ESV / 516 helpful votes

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

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 484 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Psalm 66:17 ESV / 477 helpful votes

I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue.

Matthew 15:18 ESV / 459 helpful votes

But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.

Proverbs 17:28 ESV / 456 helpful votes

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

Romans 3:13 ESV / 451 helpful votes

“Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.”

1 Corinthians 14:2 ESV / 430 helpful votes

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.

Proverbs 16:24 ESV / 422 helpful votes

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

Psalm 139:4 ESV / 422 helpful votes

Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

Isaiah 54:17 ESV / 404 helpful votes

No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 14:39 ESV / 403 helpful votes

So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

Psalm 37:30 ESV / 400 helpful votes

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.

James 3:1-12 ESV / 397 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! ...

Proverbs 10:20 ESV / 391 helpful votes

The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.

Matthew 5:22 ESV / 378 helpful votes

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Acts 2:1-47 ESV / 368 helpful votes

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ...

Proverbs 18:20-21 ESV / 368 helpful votes

From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Psalm 12:3-4 ESV / 365 helpful votes

May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?”

Leviticus 19:16 ESV / 364 helpful votes

You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.

Proverbs 12:13-14 ESV / 359 helpful votes

An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.

Psalm 120:2 ESV / 359 helpful votes

Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.

1 Corinthians 13:1 ESV / 355 helpful votes

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV / 352 helpful votes

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ...

Proverbs 10:31 ESV / 351 helpful votes

The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

Proverbs 6:17 ESV / 346 helpful votes

Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

Psalm 35:28 ESV / 346 helpful votes

Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long.

Acts 2:4 ESV / 342 helpful votes

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

1 Corinthians 14:27 ESV / 341 helpful votes

If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 341 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Ecclesiastes 3:7 ESV / 340 helpful votes

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

Matthew 12:34 ESV / 329 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.

Proverbs 16:27 ESV / 327 helpful votes

A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

Proverbs 15:2 ESV / 323 helpful votes

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

1 Corinthians 13:8 ESV / 322 helpful votes

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

Acts 1:1-26 ESV / 321 helpful votes

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” ...

Mark 16:17 ESV / 320 helpful votes

And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

Acts 10:46 ESV / 316 helpful votes

For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared,

Proverbs 25:23 ESV / 316 helpful votes

The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

1 Corinthians 14:22 ESV / 307 helpful votes

Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.

James 4:1-17 ESV / 304 helpful votes

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? ...

Proverbs 25:15 ESV / 304 helpful votes

With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.

Acts 19:6 ESV / 303 helpful votes

And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.

Proverbs 11:9 ESV / 303 helpful votes

With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

Isaiah 28:11 ESV / 302 helpful votes

For by people of strange lips and with a foreign tongue the Lord will speak to this people,

Psalm 71:24 ESV / 301 helpful votes

And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.

Psalm 52:2 ESV / 298 helpful votes

Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.

1 John 3:18 ESV / 284 helpful votes

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

1 Corinthians 14:1 ESV / 280 helpful votes

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

James 3:10 ESV / 268 helpful votes

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

1 Corinthians 14:14-15 ESV / 265 helpful votes

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.

Proverbs 18:8 ESV / 262 helpful votes

The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

Colossians 3:8 ESV / 261 helpful votes

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

1 Corinthians 14:4 ESV / 261 helpful votes

The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

Psalm 119:171-173 ESV / 256 helpful votes

My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.

Proverbs 11:13 ESV / 254 helpful votes

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

Romans 14:11 ESV / 249 helpful votes

For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”

1 Corinthians 14:23 ESV / 246 helpful votes

If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

1 Corinthians 14:19 ESV / 246 helpful votes

Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Romans 10:9 ESV / 246 helpful votes

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

James 3:13 ESV / 245 helpful votes

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

Ephesians 4:11 ESV / 245 helpful votes

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

1 Corinthians 12:10 ESV / 244 helpful votes

To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

Proverbs 25:18 ESV / 235 helpful votes

A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.

James 3:3 ESV / 218 helpful votes

If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.

Job 27:4 ESV / 218 helpful votes

My lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.

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