Ephesians 4:29

New International Reader's Version

Don’t let any evil talk come out of your mouths. Say only what will help to build others up and meet their needs. Then what you say will help those who listen.

Cross References

Psalm 45:2

You are the most excellent of men. Your lips have been given the ability to speak gracious words. God has blessed you forever.

Psalm 5:9

Not a word from their mouths can be trusted. Their hearts are filled with a desire to hurt others. Their throats are like open graves. With their tongues they tell lies.

Psalm 52:2

You plan ways to destroy others. Your tongue is like a blade that has a sharp edge. You are always telling lies.

Psalm 71:24

All day long my tongue will say that you have done what is right. Those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame. They have not been honored.

Proverbs 12:13

Those who do evil are trapped by their sinful talk. But those who have done no wrong escape trouble.

Proverbs 15:23

Joy is found in giving the right answer. And how good is a word spoken at the right time!

Proverbs 15:7

The lips of wise people spread knowledge. But the hearts of foolish people are not honest.

Proverbs 16:21

Wise hearts are known for understanding what is right. Kind words make people want to learn more.

Ecclesiastes 10:12

Wise people say gracious things. But foolish people are destroyed by what their own lips speak.

Isaiah 50:4

The Lord and King has taught me what to say. He has taught me how to help those who are tired. He wakes me up every morning. He makes me want to listen like a good student.

Matthew 5:16

In the same way, let your light shine so others can see it. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will bring glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Luke 4:22

Everyone said good things about him. They were amazed at the gracious words they heard from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.

John 1:37

The two disciples heard him say this. So they followed Jesus.

Romans 14:19

So let us do all we can to live in peace. And let us work hard to build up one another.

Romans 15:2

Each of us should please our neighbors. Let us do what is good for them in order to build them up.

1 Corinthians 14:19

In the church, I wouldn’t want to speak 10,000 words in an unfamiliar language. I’d rather speak five words in a language people could understand. Then I would be teaching others.

Ephesians 4:12

He gave all these people so that they might prepare God’s people to serve. Then the body of Christ will be built up.

Ephesians 4:16

He makes the whole body grow and build itself up in love. Under the control of Christ, each part of the body does its work. It supports the other parts. In that way, the body is joined and held together.

Colossians 4:6

Let the words you speak always be full of grace. Learn how to make your words what people want to hear. Then you will know how to answer everyone.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

So encourage one another with the hope you have. Build each other up. In fact, that’s what you are doing.

1 Peter 2:12

People who don’t believe might say you are doing wrong. But lead good lives among them. Then they will see your good deeds. And they will give glory to God on the day he comes to judge.

1 Peter 3:1

Wives, follow the lead of your own husbands. Suppose some of them don’t believe God’s word. Then let them be won to Christ without words by seeing how their wives behave.

2 Peter 2:18

They speak empty, bragging words. They make their appeal to the evil desires that come from sin’s power. They tempt new believers who are just escaping from the company of sinful people.