Living and character
What does the Bible say about swearing and bad language?
Scripture is less interested in a list of forbidden words than in whether your speech builds people up or tears them down.
What Scripture says
Ephesians 4:29
“Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Colossians 3:8
“but now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.”
James 3:9-10
“With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the image of God. Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”
Matthew 12:36
“I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.”
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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.