What Does the Bible Say About Lying? 11 Powerful Verses

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 19:19

ESVA false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish.
KJVA man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
NASBA man of great anger will bear the penalty, For if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again.
NIVA hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them, and you will have to do it again.
NLTHot-tempered people must pay the penalty. If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again.

Also see Bible verses about false prophets

Psalm 101:7

ESVNo one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.
KJVHe that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
NASBHe who practices deceit shall not dwell within my house; He who speaks falsehood shall not maintain his position before me.
NIVNo one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.
NLTI will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence.

Proverbs 12:19

ESVTruthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
KJVThe lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
NASBTruthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment.
NIVTruthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
NLTTruthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.

Also see Bible verses about tithing

Luke 8:17

ESVFor nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
KJVFor nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
NASBFor nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
NIVFor there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.
NLTFor all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.

John 8:44

ESVYou are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
KJVYe are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
NASBYou are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
NIVYou belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
NLTFor you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Also see Bible verses about music

Exodus 20:16

ESVYou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
KJVThou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
NASBYou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
NIVYou shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
NLTYou must not testify falsely against your neighbor.

Ephesians 4:25

ESVTherefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
KJVWherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
NASBTherefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another.
NIVTherefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
NLTSo stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.

Also see Bible verses about friendships

1 John 2:4

ESVWhoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,
KJVHe that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
NASBThe one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
NIVWhoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.
NLTIf someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth.

Revelation 21:8

ESVBut as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
KJVBut the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
NASB“But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
NIVBut the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
NLT“But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

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 John 1:9

ESVIf we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
KJVIf we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
NASBIf we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
NIVIf we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
NLTBut if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

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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