Bible Verses About Jealousy: 11 Helpful Scriptures

James 3:16

ESVFor where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
KJVFor where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
NASBFor where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
NIVFor where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
NLTFor wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

Proverbs 27:4

ESVWrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?
KJVWrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
NASBWrath is fierce and anger is a flood, But who can stand before jealousy?
NIVAnger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?
NLTAnger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but jealousy is even more dangerous.

Also see Bible Verses About New Beginnings

1 Corinthians 3:3

ESVFor you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?
KJVFor ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
NASBfor you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?
NIVYou are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?
NLTfor you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?

Exodus 20:17

ESV“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
KJVThou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
NASB“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
NIV“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
NLT“You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.”

Also see Bible Verses About Confidence

Romans 12:2

ESVDo not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
KJVAnd be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
NASBAnd do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
NIVDo not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
NLTDon’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Job 5:2

ESVSurely vexation kills the fool, and jealousy slays the simple.
KJVFor wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.
NASB“For anger slays the foolish man, And jealousy kills the simple.
NIVResentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.
NLTSurely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple.

Also see Bible Verses About Leadership

Proverbs 6:34

ESVFor jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge.
KJVFor jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
NASBFor jealousy enrages a man, And he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
NIVFor jealousy arouses a husband’s fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.
NLTFor the woman’s jealous husband will be furious, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.

Proverbs 14:30

ESVA tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
KJVA sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
NASBA tranquil heart is life to the body, But passion is rottenness to the bones.
NIVA heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
NLTA peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.

Also see Bible Verses About Lust

Proverbs 19:5

ESVA false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.
KJVA false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
NASBA false witness will not go unpunished, And he who tells lies will not escape.
NIVA false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.
NLTA false witness will not go unpunished, nor will a liar escape.

1 Peter 2:11

ESVBeloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
KJVDearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
NASBBeloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.
NIVDear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.
NLTDear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.

2 Timothy 2:22

ESVSo flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
KJVFlee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
NASBNow flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
NIVFlee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
NLTRun from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

Galatians 6:4

ESVBut let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.
KJVBut let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
NASBBut each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.
NIVEach one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else,
NLTPay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.

Daniel Isaiah Joseph

Daniel's seminary degree is in Exegetical Theology. He was a pastor for 10 years. As a professor, he has taught Bible and theology courses at two Christian universities. Please see his About page for details.

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