What does the Bible say about keeping your mouth shut?
Have you ever said something and instantly regretted it? Scripture repeatedly teaches us to be mindful of our words and to think before speaking. Speaking too much, especially when angry or hurt, can be dangerous. Unrestrained words can lead to sinful speech, unwise commitments, or damaged relationships. Instead, learn to stay quiet, speak less, avoid unnecessary chatter, and end conversations when needed. When your emotions flare and you’re tempted to say something you’ll regret, seize that moment to pause and pray for guidance.
1. Proverbs 21:23 (ESV)
“Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.”
2. James 1:19 (NIV)
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
3. Proverbs 10:19 (NKJV)
“In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”
4. Ecclesiastes 5:2 (NASB)
“Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.”
5. Proverbs 17:28 (KJV)
“Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”
6. Psalm 141:3 (NLT)
“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
7. Proverbs 13:3 (Holman CSB)
“The one who guards his mouth protects his life; the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.”
8. Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
“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.”
9. Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
10. James 3:5-6 (NASB)
“So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity.”
11. Proverbs 15:1 (NKJV)
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
12. Matthew 12:36-37 (KJV)
“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”
13. Proverbs 12:18 (ESV)
“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
14. Psalm 39:1 (NIV)
“I said, ‘I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.’”
15. Proverbs 29:20 (NLT)
“There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.”
16. Colossians 4:6 (NASB)
“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”
17. Proverbs 14:3 (NKJV)
“In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.”
18. Titus 3:2 (ESV)
“To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”
19. Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
20. 1 Peter 3:10 (KJV)
“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.”
21. Proverbs 25:11 (NASB)
“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.”
22. Ecclesiastes 10:12 (ESV)
“The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.”
23. Proverbs 17:27 (NKJV)
“He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.”
24. Psalm 19:14 (NLT)
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
25. Proverbs 18:13 (NIV)
“To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.”
26. James 3:8 (Holman CSB)
“But no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”
27. Proverbs 15:4 (ESV)
“A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”
28. Luke 6:45 (NKJV)
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
29. Proverbs 20:19 (NASB)
“He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip.”
30. Ephesians 5:4 (KJV)
“Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.”
31. Proverbs 11:13 (NIV)
“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”
32. 2 Timothy 2:16 (ESV)
“But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness.”
33. Proverbs 26:20 (NLT)
“Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.”
34. Psalm 34:13 (NASB)
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.”
35. Proverbs 10:31 (NKJV)
“The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.”
36. Matthew 5:37 (NIV)
“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
37. Proverbs 15:28 (ESV)
“The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.”
38. James 1:26 (KJV)
“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.”
39. Proverbs 18:8 (NLT)
“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.”
40. Psalm 120:2 (NIV)
“Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.”
41. Proverbs 12:22 (NASB)
“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.”
42. Colossians 3:8 (ESV)
“But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.”
43. Proverbs 19:1 (NKJV)
“Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.”
44. 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”
45. Proverbs 16:28 (NLT)
“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
46. Psalm 15:3 (ESV)
“Who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend.”
47. Proverbs 10:18 (NASB)
“He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and he who spreads slander is a fool.”
48. Matthew 15:11 (NKJV)
“Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”
49. Proverbs 13:2 (NIV)
“From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.”
50. Ecclesiastes 3:7 (KJV)
“A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.”
