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Bible Verses About Gossip

12 Bible verses about gossip, quoted word for word from the King James Version (KJV) and the World English Bible (WEB). Both translations are in the public domain. Tap a chapter link to read each verse in its full context.

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Proverbs 16:28

KJVA froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
WEBA perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.

Proverbs 20:19

KJVHe that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
WEBHe who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.

Proverbs 11:13

KJVA talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
WEBOne who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.

Ephesians 4:29

KJVLet no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
WEBLet 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.

Proverbs 26:20

KJVWhere no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
WEBFor lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.

Leviticus 19:16

KJVThou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.
WEB“‘You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people. “‘You shall not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am Yahweh.

Proverbs 18:8

KJVThe words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
WEBThe words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.

Psalm 34:13

KJVKeep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
WEBKeep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking lies.

Proverbs 10:18

KJVHe that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
WEBHe who hides hatred has lying lips. He who utters a slander is a fool.

1 Timothy 5:13

KJVAnd withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
WEBBesides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

2 Corinthians 12:20

KJVFor I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
WEBFor I am afraid that perhaps when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire, that perhaps there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, or riots,

James 1:26

KJVIf any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
WEBIf anyone among you thinks himself to be religious while he doesn’t bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is worthless.

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