keeping your word
What does the Bible say about keeping your word? These are the passages readers found most helpful — tap any citation to read it in context.
10 passages · most helpful first
37But let your word ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ For anything beyond that is of evil.
4And it is much better not to make a vow, than, after a vow, not to fulfill what was promised. 5You should not use your mouth so as to cause your flesh to sin. And you should not say, in the sight of an Angel, “There is no Providence.” For God, being angry at your words, may scatter all the works of your hands. 6Where there are many dreams, there are many vanities and innumerable words. Yet truly, you must fear God. 7If you see false accusations against the indigent, and violent judgments, and subverted justice in the government, do not be surprised over this situation. For those in high places have others who are higher, and there are still others, more eminent, over these.
5But whoever keeps his word, truly in him the charity of God is perfected. And by this we know that we are in him.
33Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients: ‘You shall not swear falsely. For you shall repay your oaths to the Lord.’
1And Moses explained to the sons of Israel all that the Lord had commanded him. 2And he said to the leaders of the tribes of the sons of Israel: “This is the word, which the Lord has instructed:
33Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients: ‘You shall not swear falsely. For you shall repay your oaths to the Lord.’ 34But I say to you, do not swear an oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35nor by earth, for it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king. 36Neither shall you swear an oath by your own head, because you are not able to cause one hair to become white or black. 37But let your word ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ For anything beyond that is of evil.
23But as soon as it has departed from your lips, you shall observe and do just as you have promised to the Lord your God and just as you have spoken by your own free will and with your own mouth.
12But before all things, my brothers, do not choose to swear, neither by heaven, nor by the earth, nor in any other oath. But let your word ‘Yes’ be yes, and your word ‘No’ be no, so that you may not fall under judgment.
4The soul who swears and offers from his own lips that he would do either evil or good, and who will have bound the same with an oath and with his own words, and, having forgotten it, afterwards understands his transgression, 5let him do penance for his sin,
11I have hidden your eloquence in my heart, so that I may not sin against you.