Parallel Verses
An Understandable Version
Do not allow unwholesome [Note: The Greek word for "unwholesome" is "rotten, diseased"] language to come from your mouth, but only what is helpful for building up those who need it, so that you can impart favor [i.e., benefit] to those who listen [to you].
New American Standard Bible
Let no
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.
Holman Bible
No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need,
International Standard Version
Let no filthy talk be heard from your mouths, but only what is good for building up people and meeting the need of the moment. This way you will administer grace to those who hear you.
A Conservative Version
Let no corrupt speech go out of your mouth, rather if there is any good word for edification of a need, so 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.
Amplified
Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].
Anderson New Testament
Let no impure speech come out of your mouth, but whatever is good for needful edification, 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.
Common New Testament
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building others up according to the need of the moment, that it may impart grace to those who hear.
Daniel Mace New Testament
let no obscene language defile your mouth, use only such as tends to edification, that it may be beneficial to 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.
Godbey New Testament
Let no corrupt communication go forth out of your mouth, but if anything is good unto edification of need, in order that he may give grace to those who hear.
Goodspeed New Testament
No bad word must ever pass your lips, but only words that are good and suited to improve the occasion, so that they will be a blessing to those who hear them.
John Wesley New Testament
Let no corrupt discourse proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good, to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.
Julia Smith Translation
Let not any foul word go out of your mouth, but if any good to the building of necessity, that it might give grace to them hearing.
King James 2000
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.
Lexham Expanded Bible
{No rotten word must proceed} from your mouth, but only something good for the building up of the need, in order that it may give grace to those who hear,
Modern King James verseion
Let not any filthy word go out of your mouth, but if any is good to building up in respect of need, that it may give grace to the ones hearing.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Let no filthy communication proceed out of your mouths: but that which is good to edify withal, when need is, that it may have favour with the hearers.
Moffatt New Testament
Let no bad word pass your lips, but only such speech as is good for edification, as occasion may require, words that are gracious and a means of grace to those who hear them.
Montgomery New Testament
From your lips let no evil words come forth, but such as occasion warrants, such as are good for upbuilding and give a blessing to the hearers.
NET Bible
You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it may give grace to those who hear.
New Heart English Bible
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Noyes New Testament
Let no foul language proceed out of your mouth, but whatever is good for edification, as the need may be, that it may benefit the hearers;
Sawyer New Testament
Let no evil word proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good for useful edification, that it may afford benefit to those that hear.
The Emphasized Bible
Let, no putrid discourse, out of your mouth, be going forth, but if anything is good - suited to the needful upbuilding, - that it may give benefit unto them that hear;
Thomas Haweis New Testament
Let no loose discourse proceed out of your mouth, but whatever is good for useful edification, that it may communicate grace to the hearers.
Twentieth Century New Testament
Never let any foul word pass your lips, but only such good words as the occasion demands, that they may be a help to those who hear them.
Webster
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.
Weymouth New Testament
Let no unwholesome words ever pass your lips, but let all your words be good for benefiting others according to the need of the moment, so that they may be a means of blessing to the hearers.
Williams New Testament
You must stop letting any bad word pass your lips, but only words that are good for building up as the occasion demands, so that they will result in spiritual blessing to the hearers.
World English Bible
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Worrell New Testament
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but whatever is good for the supplying of the need, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Worsley New Testament
Let no corrupt word come out of your mouth; but what is good to useful edification, that it may benefit the hearers.
Youngs 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;
Interlinear
Ekporeuomai
me
Ekporeuomai
Tis
Agathos
References
Word Count of 37 Translations in Ephesians 4:29
Images Ephesians 4:29
Prayers for Ephesians 4:29
Verse Info
Context Readings
Old Behavior, New Behavior, And Motivation
28 The person who has stolen must stop doing it; instead, he should work hard, doing something worthwhile with his own hands, so that he can have [money] to share with the person who needs it. 29 Do not allow unwholesome [Note: The Greek word for "unwholesome" is "rotten, diseased"] language to come from your mouth, but only what is helpful for building up those who need it, so that you can impart favor [i.e., benefit] to those who listen [to you]. 30 And do not grieve God's Holy Spirit by whom you were sealed [i.e., given evidence of God's ownership] until the day of redemption [i.e., until you receive your new body in heaven. See 1:14].
Names
Cross References
Colossians 4:6
Your speech should always be favorable, seasoned with salt [i.e., interesting and appropriate], so that you may know how to properly answer each person [you talk with].
Matthew 5:16
In that same way, you should allow your light [i.e., influence] to shine in front of people, so that they will see your good deeds and [be led to] honor your Father in heaven.
Matthew 12:34-37
You children of snakes! Since you are evil, how do you expect to speak good things? For the mouth speaks what the heart is filled with.
Romans 3:13-14
[Psa. 5:9 says], "Their throats are like open graves [i.e., they are foul-mouthed]. They have spoken deceitfully." [Psa. 90:3 says], "There is snake venom under their lips [i.e., their words are deadly]."
1 Corinthians 14:19
However, in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, so that I can instruct other people also, than to speak ten thousand words in a language [that people do not understand].
Ephesians 4:16
From Him all [members of] the body are properly joined together by every supporting ligament, as each part contributes to the growth of the body and builds itself up through [mutual] love.
Ephesians 5:3-4
But you should not even talk about sexual immorality, or any type of [moral] impurity, or greed. [Note: Possibly "greed" here means "desire for more" of such things]. Such talk is not suitable for saints [i.e., God's holy people].
Colossians 3:8-9
But now you also should stop practicing them: anger, wrath, malice, slander, filthy language from your mouth.
Colossians 3:16-17
You should let the message of Christ live in you abundantly [i.e., as individuals and collectively]. Use [much] wisdom in teaching and warning one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with favor [i.e., with thankfulness] in your hearts toward God.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore, [continue to] encourage one another, and build each other up [spiritually], just as you are also doing.
James 3:2-8
For we all make mistakes in many areas [of life]. If anyone does not make a mistake in what he says, he is a perfect person, capable of keeping a tight rein on his whole life also.
1 Peter 3:1
In the same way [that Jesus was submissive], you wives should submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even though they may not obey the [Gospel] message [they have heard] they may, without your talking [to them about it],
Jude 1:13-16
[They are like] raging ocean waves, whose shameful actions bubble up like foam. [They are like] shooting stars [whose light quickly goes out], for whom total darkness has been reserved forever.
Luke 4:22
So, everyone spoke well of Him and marvelled at the gracious words coming from His mouth. They said, "Is he not Joseph's son?"
1 Corinthians 15:32-33
What benefit was it to me, from a human standpoint, if I fought wild animals in Ephesus, and [yet] the dead are not raised? [Note: This probably refers to Paul facing ferocious opposition from people there in Ephesus]. We should [just] eat and drink, for tomorrow we [may] die.
1 Peter 2:12
You should live such good lives before [unconverted] Gentiles, so that even though they accuse you of being evildoers, by seeing your good deeds, they will [be led to] honor God [for you] on the day He visits us again [i.e., to bring judgment].
2 Peter 2:18
[Although] their talk is big, what they say is worthless, and by [offering people] fleshly desires [i.e., sexual gratification], they lead people astray, who are barely escaping from the error of the world.
Revelation 13:5-6
And the beast was given [by the dragon ?] a mouth for making proud claims and [speaking] blasphemous words, and the authority to act for forty-two months [See 11:2; 12:6].
Ephesians 4:12
for the purpose of equipping the saints [i.e., God's holy people] for the work of serving [others], in order to build up the [spiritual] body of Christ [i.e., the church].