Ephesians 4:29 “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is help…”

Ephesians 4:29

Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

Let 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.

World English Bible

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.

American Standard Version

Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear.

Geneva Bible 1599

Let no corrupt comunication proceed out of your mouths: but that which is good, to ye vse of edifying, that it may minister grace vnto the hearers.

Darby Translation

Let no corrupt word go out of your mouth, but if [there be] any good one for needful edification, that it may give grace to those that hear [it].

Young's Literal Translation

Let no corrupt word out of your mouth go forth, but what is good unto the needful building up, that it may give grace to the hearers;

Bible in Basic English

Let no evil talk come out of your mouth, but only what is good for giving necessary teaching, and for grace to those who give ear.

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Cross references

“no”

Colossians 4:6 Matthew 12:34–37 James 3:2–8 Psalm 52:2 Psalm 5:9 Psalm 73:7–9

Colossians 4:6 · BSB

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Matthew 12:34–37 · BSB

You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

James 3:2–8 · BSB

We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.

Psalm 52:2 · BSB

Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit.

Psalm 5:9 · BSB

For not a word they speak can be trusted; destruction lies within them. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.

Psalm 73:7–9 · BSB

From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.

“that which”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Proverbs 15:7 Proverbs 15:2–4 Proverbs 12:13 Proverbs 16:21 Isaiah 50:4

1 Thessalonians 5:11 · BSB

Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.

Proverbs 15:7 · BSB

The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.

Proverbs 15:2–4 · BSB

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

Proverbs 12:13 · BSB

An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble.

Proverbs 16:21 · BSB

The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.

Isaiah 50:4 · BSB

The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.

“to the use of edifying”

Ephesians 4:12 Ephesians 4:16

Ephesians 4:12 · BSB

to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,

Ephesians 4:16 · BSB

From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.

“minister”

Matthew 5:16 1 Peter 2:12 1 Peter 3:1

Matthew 5:16 · BSB

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

1 Peter 2:12 · BSB

Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.

1 Peter 3:1 · BSB

Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives

Also

Ecclesiastes 10:12

Ecclesiastes 10:12 · BSB

The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.

30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Read Ephesians 4