Bible Verses About Cussing – Christianity FAQ

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.
KJV	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.
NASB	Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
NIV	Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
NLT	Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Colossians 3:8

ESV	But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
KJV	But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
NASB	But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
NIV	But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
NLT	But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.

James 3:10

ESV	From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
KJV	Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
NASB	from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
NIV	Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
NLT	And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!

“The true test of a man’s spirituality is not his ability to speak, as we are apt to think, but rather his ability to bridle his tongue.” ~ Kent Hughes

Matthew 15:11

ESV	It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”
KJV	Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
NASB	“It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.”
NIV	What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”
NLT	It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”

“A corrupt and unholy heart eventually will be exposed by corrupt and unholy speech… If the tongue is not controlled by God, it is a sure indicator that the heart is not, either.” ~ John MacArthur

Matthew 12:36

ESV	I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,
KJV	But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
NASB	“But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.
NIV	But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.
NLT	And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.

James 5:12

ESV	But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
KJV	But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
NASB	But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.
NIV	Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
NLT	But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.

Romans 12:2

ESV	Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
KJV	And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
NASB	And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
NIV	Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
NLT	Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Proverbs 18:21

ESV	Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
KJV	Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
NASB	Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
NIV	The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
NLT	The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

2 Timothy 2:16

ESV	But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,
KJV	But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
NASB	But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,
NIV	Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
NLT	Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.

Proverbs 8:13

ESV	The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
KJV	The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
NASB	“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate.
NIV	To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
NLT	All who fear the LORD will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.

Hosea 4:2

ESV	There is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
KJV	By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.
NASB	There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing and adultery. They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed.
NIV	There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
NLT	You make vows and break them; you kill and steal and commit adultery. There is violence everywhere— one murder after another.