Hurtful words

Top verses

Ranked by readers’ votes at OpenBible.info.

• Proverbs 12:18

  There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

• Proverbs 15:1

  A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

• James 1:26

  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.

• Ephesians 4:29

  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.

• Proverbs 18:21

  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

• Proverbs 21:23

  Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

• Matthew 15:10–11

  And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

• Proverbs 15:4

  A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

• 1 Peter 3:7–12

  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. …

• Psalms 19:14

  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

• Luke 6:45

  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

• Romans 12:17–18

  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

• Proverbs 16:24

  Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

• Psalms 34:13

  Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

• Proverbs 11:9

  An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

• Psalms 51:10

  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

• Matthew 5:43–44

  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

• Matthew 6:14

  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

• Matthew 18:15

  Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

• 1 Corinthians 13:1–13

  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. …

• James 3:5

  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

• Proverbs 17:9

  He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

• Psalms 64:3

  Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:

• 2 Timothy 1:7

  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

• Psalms 52:2

  Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

• Jeremiah 29:11

  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

• Matthew 12:36

  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

• James 3:1–18

  My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. …

• Ecclesiastes 3:7

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

• Proverbs 16:27

  An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

• Matthew 12:33–38

  Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. …

• Philippians 4:13

  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

• Psalms 57:4

  My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

• Proverbs 25:18

  A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

• Romans 14:10–12

  But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

• Proverbs 26:28

  A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

• Mark 7:20–23

  And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: …

• Psalms 141:3

  Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

• Deuteronomy 5:20

  Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.

• Philippians 4:8

  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.