What Does the Bible Say About Honesty? 12 Powerful Verses

Written by Daniel Isaiah Joseph in Bible verses Last Updated July 27, 2023

Proverbs 12:22

ESVLying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
KJVLying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
NASBLying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal faithfully are His delight.
NIVThe LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
NLTThe LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.

Proverbs 19:1

ESVBetter is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.
KJVBetter is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
NASBBetter is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.
NIVBetter the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.
NLTBetter to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool.

Also see Bible verses about the cross

John 8:32

ESVAnd you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
KJVAnd ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
NASBand you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
NIVThen you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
NLTAnd you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

2 Corinthians 8:21

ESVFor we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.
KJVProviding for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
NASBfor we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
NIVFor we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
NLTWe are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.

Also see Bible verses about truthfulness

Proverbs 11:3

ESVThe integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
KJVThe integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
NASBThe integrity of the upright will guide them, But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.
NIVThe integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
NLTHonesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people.

Colossians 3:9

ESVDo not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices
KJVLie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
NASBDo not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,
NIVDo not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
NLTDon’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.

Also see Bible verses about angels

Matthew 5:37

ESVLet what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.
KJVBut let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
NASB“But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes ‘ or ‘No, no’ anything beyond these is of evil.
NIVAll you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
NLTJust say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

Luke 6:31

ESVAnd as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
KJVAnd as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
NASB“Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.
NIVDo to others as you would have them do to you.
NLTDo to others as you would like them to do to you.

Also see Bible verses about loving yourself

Exodus 20:16

ESV“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
KJVThou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
NASB“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
NIV“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
NLT“You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.

Proverbs 10:9

ESVWhoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.
KJVHe that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
NASBHe who walks in integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will be found out.
NIVWhoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
NLTPeople with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.

Proverbs 11:1

ESVA false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.
KJVA false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
NASBA false balance is an abomination to the LORD, But a just weight is His delight.
NIVThe LORD detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.
NLTThe LORD detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.

Proverbs 16:13

ESVRighteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.
KJVRighteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
NASBRighteous lips are the delight of kings, And he who speaks right is loved.
NIVKings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right.
NLTThe king is pleased with words from righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly.

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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