Bible Verses About Idle Talk
Ranked by the OpenBible.info topical community
These are the Bible verses most often cited for idle talk, ranked by the OpenBible.info topical community across 3,579 votes, led by Ephesians 4:29. Each passage links to its verse page or the interactive map; scripture is the King James Version.
Top verses about Idle Talk
Ephesians 4:29266 votes
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.
Matthew 12:36260 votes
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Ephesians 5:4226 votes
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Proverbs 10:19190 votes
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
1 Timothy 5:13174 votes
And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
2 Timothy 2:16153 votes
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
James 1:26139 votes
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.
Proverbs 15:2136 votes
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
2 Timothy 2:14-16110 votes
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
Titus 1:10105 votes
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
Proverbs 20:1996 votes
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
Proverbs 17:2878 votes
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Proverbs 15:2875 votes
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
Ecclesiastes 5:374 votes
For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.
James 3:5-674 votes
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
Proverbs 16:2873 votes
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
1 Timothy 6:2062 votes
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
Psalms 141:361 votes
Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
Proverbs 15:459 votes
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
Titus 1:1559 votes
Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Matthew 12:36-3757 votes
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Titus 3:952 votes
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Proverbs 14:2351 votes
In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
Proverbs 10:8-1050 votes
The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
James 3:645 votes
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
What does the Bible say about idle talk?
Readers most often cite Ephesians 4:29 on the subject of idle talk. Across 3,579 votes, 25 passages are commonly cited for this topic, including Matthew 12:36, Ephesians 5:4, Proverbs 10:19. This page lists all 25 in ranked order, quoted in the King James Version, with each linked to its cross-references.