Living and character
What does the Bible say about modesty?
Scripture's concern with clothing is mostly about the heart: not drawing attention to wealth or self, and letting character be the adornment.
What Scripture says
1 Timothy 2:9-10
“In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety, not with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing, but with good works, which is appropriate for women professing godliness.”
1 Peter 3:3-4
“Let your beauty come not from the outward adorning of braiding your hair, and of wearing gold ornaments or of putting on fine clothing, but from the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight.”
1 Samuel 16:7
“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.””
Proverbs 31:30
“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.”
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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. See all Bible questions or verses by topic.