50 Bible Verses about The Tongue

And the tongue is [in a sense] a fire, the very world of injustice and unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life [the cycle of man’s existence], and is itself set on fire by hell (Gehenna).

But no one can tame the human tongue; it is a restless evil [undisciplined, unstable], full of deadly poison.

The mouth of the righteous flows with [skillful and godly] wisdom,
But the perverted tongue will be cut out.

The tongue of the righteous is like precious silver (greatly valued);
The heart of the wicked is worth little.

In the same sense, the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.

See [by comparison] how great a forest is set on fire by a small spark!

They sharpen their tongues like a serpent’s;
Poison of a viper is under their lips. Selah.

Even before there is a word on my tongue [still unspoken],
Behold, O Lord, You know it all.

For we all stumble and sin in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says [never saying the wrong thing], he is a perfect man [fully developed in character, without serious flaws], able to bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature [taming his human faults and weaknesses].

For one who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to people but to God; for no one understands him or catches his meaning, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries [secret truths, hidden things].

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.

The plans and reflections of the heart belong to man,
But the [wise] answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be limited to two or at the most three, and each one speaking in turn, and one must interpret [what is said].

With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God.

“Of whom do you make fun?
Against whom do you open wide your mouth
And stick out your tongue?
Are you not children of rebellion (sin),
Offspring of deceit,

Who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail;
Our lips are our own; who is lord and master over us?”

Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words].

“Behold, I have opened my mouth [to begin my speech];
My tongue in my mouth is going to speak.

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

And look at the ships. Even though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines.

The one who guards his mouth [thinking before he speaks] protects his life;
The one who opens his lips wide [and chatters without thinking] comes to ruin.

“You will be hidden from the scourge of the tongue,
And you will not be afraid of destruction when it comes.

Rescue my soul, O Lord, from lying lips,
And from a deceitful tongue.

“Though evil and wickedness are sweet in his mouth
And he hides it under his tongue,

There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.

For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me;
They have spoken against me with a lying tongue.

Now if we put bits into the horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we guide their whole body as well.

So it is with you, if you speak words [in an unknown tongue] that are not intelligible and clear, how will anyone understand what you are saying? You will be talking into the air [wasting your breath]!

I said, “I will guard my ways
That I may not sin with my tongue;
I will muzzle my mouth
While the wicked are in my presence.”

nevertheless, in public worship I would rather say five understandable words in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue [which others cannot understand].

“For the ear puts words to the test
As the palate tastes food.

Let the lying lips be mute,
Which speak insolently and arrogantly against the [consistently] righteous
With pride and contempt.

But whatever [word] comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what defiles and dishonors the man.

Confuse [my enemies], O Lord, divide their tongues [destroying their schemes],
For I have seen violence and strife in the city.

Then [my enemies] said, “Come and let us work out schemes against Jeremiah. Surely the law is not going to be lost to the priest [as Jeremiah predicts], nor the counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come and let us strike him with our tongue [by making charges against him before the king], and let us ignore anything he says.”

A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive [because it does not understand what my spirit is praying].

There appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were being distributed [among them], and they rested on each one of them [as each person received the Holy Spirit].

Out of the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. These things, my brothers, should not be this way [for we have a moral obligation to speak in a manner that reflects our fear of God and profound respect for His precepts].

To keep you from the evil woman,
From [the flattery of] the smooth tongue of an immoral woman.

That your foot may crush them in blood,
That the tongue of your dogs may have its share from your enemies.”

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.

He who guards his mouth and his tongue
Guards himself from troubles.

Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and will teach you what you shall say.”

Come, let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) go down and there confuse and mix up their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.”

When there are many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable,
But he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise.

I thank God that I speak in [unknown] tongues more than all of you;

The Lord God has given Me [His Servant] the tongue of disciples [as One who is taught],
That I may know how to sustain the weary with a word.
He awakens Me morning by morning,
He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple [as One who is taught].

So they will be caused to stumble;
Their own tongue is against them;
All who gaze at them will shake the head [in scorn].

But if there is no one to interpret, the one [who wishes to speak in a tongue] must keep silent in church; let him speak to himself and to God.

Therefore, [unknown] tongues are [meant] for a [supernatural] sign, not to believers but to unbelievers [who might be receptive]; while prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people] is not for unbelievers but for believers.