Bible Verses About Anger

King James Version · 16 passages

Anger is not always sin, but it makes a dangerous houseguest. Scripture tells us to be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath — and not to let the sun go down upon it. These passages teach the soft answer that turns away wrath, and the rule of one's own spirit that is better than the taking of a city.

James 1:19–20

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Ephesians 4:26–27

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil.

See also: James 1:19 · Psalms 4:4 · Psalms 37:8 · Ephesians 4:31

Proverbs 15:1

1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Proverbs 16:32

32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Proverbs 14:29

29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. hasty...: Heb. short of spirit

Ecclesiastes 7:9

9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

Proverbs 19:11

11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. discretion: or, prudence

Ephesians 4:31–32

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

See also: Colossians 3:12 · Matthew 6:14 · Mark 11:25 · 1 Peter 3:8

Psalms 37:8–9

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

Colossians 3:8

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

See also: Ephesians 4:29 · Ephesians 4:22 · James 1:20 · Ephesians 5:4

Proverbs 29:11

11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

See also: Proverbs 19:11 · Proverbs 12:16 · Micah 7:5 · Amos 5:13

Proverbs 22:24–25

24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: 25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

Matthew 5:21–24

21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: by: or, to 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Raca: that is, Vain fellow 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

See also: Mark 11:25 · 1 John 3:14 · 1 John 4:20 · 1 John 2:9

Proverbs 29:22

22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

Psalms 103:8

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. plentious...: Heb. great in mercy

See also: Psalms 86:15 · Joel 2:13 · Exodus 34:6 · Psalms 145:8

Jonah 4:4

4 Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry? Doest...: or, Art thou greatly angry?

See also: Matthew 20:15 · Jonah 4:9 · Psalms 106:32 · Micah 6:3