Honesty is sometimes uncomfortable – in conversation, in business, before yourself. Nevertheless, the Bible calls it one of the most important qualities of a person who lives with God. Here you will find 20 Bible verses about honesty and integrity.
Speaking honestly
Verses about truthful words.
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Therefore put away falsehood and speak the truth, each one with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
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Do not lie to one another; put off the old man with his deeds.
Colossians 3:9Lying
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False scales are an abomination to the LORD; but just weights are acceptable to him.
Proverbs 12:22Lying
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A right answer is like a pleasant kiss.
Proverbs 24:26
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Right counsel pleases the kings; and he who speaks uprightly will be loved.
Proverbs 16:13
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But your speech shall be: Yes, yes; no, no. What is beyond this is from the evil one.
Matthew 5:37ReliabilityMen
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Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
Psalm 34:14Lying
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LORD, who shall dwell in your sanctuary? Who shall abide on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right, and speaks the truth from his heart; he who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, and does not defame his neighbor.
Psalm 15:1-3
Acting honestly
Integrity in everyday life and in business.
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False scales are an abomination to the LORD; but just weights are acceptable to him.
Proverbs 11:1
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He who lives innocently lives securely; but he who is crooked in his ways will be exposed.
Proverbs 10:9Innocence
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Innocence will guide the righteous; but wickedness will unsettle the scorners.
Proverbs 11:3
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A righteous man who walks in his piety, his children will prosper after him.
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It is better to be poor and walk in piety than to be rich and walk in crooked ways.
Proverbs 28:6
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You shall not steal, nor lie, nor deal falsely one with another.
Deuteronomy 19:11Lying
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You shall not deal unjustly in court with the cubit, with weight, with measure. Just scales, just weights, just ephahs, just measures shall be with you; for I am the LORD, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
Deuteronomy 19:35-36
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He who is faithful in little is also faithful in much; and he who is unjust in little is also unjust in much.
Luke 16:10MoneyReliability
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But Zacchaeus came forward and said to the LORD: Behold, LORD, I give half of my goods to the poor, and so I have cheated anyone, I will repay fourfold.
Luke 19:8Greed
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And see that it is done honestly, not only before the LORD but also before men.
2 Corinthians 8:21
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Pray for us. Our comfort is that we have a good conscience and diligently strive to lead a good walk before everyone.
Hebrews 13:18
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Behold, you have a delight in the truth that lies in secret; you make me know the hidden wisdom.
Psalm 51:8Lying
Bible texts: Luther Bible 1912 (public domain), carefully adapted to modern spelling.
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Why honesty is so important
The Bible calls honesty not only a virtue, but a matter of relationship with God. “False scales are an abomination to the LORD; but just weights are acceptable to him” (Proverbs 12:22). Honesty shows itself in words, but also in deeds: in business (“False scales are an abomination to the LORD; but just weights are acceptable to him,” Proverbs 11:1), in tax returns, in resumes. Zacchaeus, who had cheated, gives back fourfold after his encounter with Jesus (Luke 19:8).
Honest before God and before yourself
Honesty begins inside. David prays after his failure: “Behold, you have a delight in the truth that lies in secret” (Psalm 51:8). He who can be honest before God, without fear of judgment, can also become more honest before people. Paul grounds honesty among one another in community: “Therefore put away falsehood and speak the truth, each one with his neighbor, for we are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:25). More on this at Bible verses about truth, Bible verses about lying and Bible verses about reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Bible say about honesty?
The Bible calls to speak the truth (Ephesians 4:25), act honestly (Proverbs 11:1) and have a clear yes and no (Matthew 5:37).
Which Bible verse fits honesty?
Particularly fitting are Ephesians 4:25, Proverbs 10:9 (“He who lives innocently lives securely”), Proverbs 11:3 and Luke 16:10.
