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What does the Bible say about swearing?

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The Bible teaches that believers should avoid profane, careless, dishonest, and corrupt speech, using their words instead to honor God and build up others. Exodus 20:7 forbids taking the Lord’s name in vain, while James 5:12 and Matthew 5:33-37 call for simple, truthful speech rather than casual oaths. Ephesians 4:29, Ephesians 5:4-5, and Colossians 3:8 warn against filthy, foolish, abusive, and obscene talk. Jesus teaches in Matthew 12:36 and Luke 6:45 that words reveal the heart and will be brought into judgment. By God’s grace, Christians are to cultivate reverence, honesty, gratitude, and speech that gives grace to those who hear.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Ephesians 4:29 11 votes

    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.

  • James 5:12 8 votes

    But above all things, my brothers, don’t swear— not by heaven, or by the earth, or by any other oath; but let your “yes” be “yes”, and your “no”, “no”, so that you don’t fall into hypocrisy.

  • Ephesians 5:4-5 8 votes

    nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate, but rather giving of thanks. Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man (who is an idolater), has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.

  • Matthew 5:33-37 5 votes

    “Again you have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,’ but I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God; nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.

  • Matthew 12:36 4 votes

    I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

  • Exodus 20:7 3 votes

    “You shall not misuse the name of Yahweh your God, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who misuses his name.

  • Luke 6:45 3 votes

    The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.

  • Colossians 3:8 2 votes

    but now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.

  • Matthew 5:34-37 2 votes

    but I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God; nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.

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