Bible Verses about Cursing

Compiled by The BibleStudyTools Staff on 02/24/2021
Bible Verses about Cursing

What does Scripture say about Cursing? Are Curse Words a Sin?

While today we may think of “curse words” simply as vulgarity, the Bible addresses the idea of cursing as a multitude of forms of speech. In the biblical context, cursing could be considered wishing ill upon another person or spreading falsehoods about them. Scripture directly tells us, “bless and do not curse them.” Furthermore, when it comes to how we should use our speech as Christians, the Bible puts an emphasis on telling the truth. As Matthew 5:37 says, “But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”

Read more Bible verses about Cursing in this collection of scripture quotes.

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Ephesians 4:29

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
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Ephesians 5:4

Ephesians 5:4
4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
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James 1:26

26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
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Colossians 3:8

8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
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Luke 6:28

28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
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Colossians 4:6

6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
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Romans 12:14

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
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Exodus 20:7

7 “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
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Proverbs 18:21

21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
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1 Peter 3:10

10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.
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James 3:10

10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
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Matthew 15:11

11 What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”
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Psalms 109:17

17 He loved to pronounce a curse— may it come back on him. He found no pleasure in blessing— may it be far from him.
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Leviticus 20:9

9 “ ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death. Because they have cursed their father or mother, their blood will be on their own head.
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James 5:12

12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
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Matthew 5:22

22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
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Matthew 15:10-11

10 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand.
11 What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”
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2 Kings 2:23-24

23 From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy!”
24 He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.
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Matthew 15:18-20

18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.
19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”
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James 3:8-10

8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.
10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
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