swear words
What does the Bible say about swear words? These are the passages readers found most helpful — tap any citation to read it in context.
14 passages · most helpful first
29Let no evil words proceed from your mouth, but only what is good, toward the edification of faith, so as to bestow grace upon those who listen.
8But now you must set aside all these things: anger, indignation, malice, blasphemy, and indecent speech from your 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.
4nor any indecent, or foolish, or abusive talk, for this is without purpose; but instead, give thanks. 5For know and understand this: no one who is a fornicator, or lustful, or rapacious (for these are a kind of service to idols) holds an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
10From the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so!
7You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. For the Lord will not hold harmless one who takes the name of the Lord his God falsely.
3Whoever guards his mouth guards his soul. But whoever gives no consideration to his speech shall experience misfortunes.
26But if anyone considers himself to be religious, but he does not restrain his tongue, but instead seduces his own heart: such a one’s religion is vanity.
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.
16But avoid profane or empty talk. For these things advance one greatly in impiety.
10For whoever wants to love life and to see good days should restrain his tongue from evil, and his lips, so that they utter no deceit.
37But let your word ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ For anything beyond that is of evil.
4nor any indecent, or foolish, or abusive talk, for this is without purpose; but instead, give thanks.
14Bless those who are persecuting you: bless, and do not curse.