Here are 21 best Bible verses about self-control from the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible, King James Version, New International Version, and New Living Translation, sorted from the most relevant to the least relevant.
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Proverbs 25:28
King James Version
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
New International Version
Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
New Living Translation
A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.
2 Timothy 1:7
King James Version
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
New International Version
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
New Living Translation
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
Proverbs 16:32
King James Version
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
New International Version
Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
New Living Translation
Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
1 Peter 4:7
King James Version
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
New International Version
The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.
New Living Translation
The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.
Titus 2:6
King James Version
Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
New International Version
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.
New Living Translation
In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely.
Galatians 5:22-23
King James Version
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
New International Version
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
New Living Translation
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
1 Corinthians 9:24-25
King James Version
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
New International Version
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
New Living Translation
Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
2 Peter 1:5-7
King James Version
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
New International Version
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
New Living Translation
In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
James 1:19
King James Version
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
New International Version
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
New Living Translation
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
Proverbs 12:16
King James Version
A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
New International Version
Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.
New Living Translation
A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.
Titus 2:11-12
King James Version
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.
New International Version
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.
New Living Translation
For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God.
2 John 1:8
King James Version
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
New International Version
Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.
New Living Translation
Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward.
Proverbs 29:11
King James Version
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
New International Version
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.
New Living Translation
Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.
Proverbs 4:27
King James Version
Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
New International Version
Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
New Living Translation
Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.
James 1:20
King James Version
For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
New International Version
because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
New Living Translation
Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
Romans 12:19
King James Version
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
New International Version
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
New Living Translation
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.
Romans 12:1-2
King James Version
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
New International Version
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
New Living Translation
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Proverbs 25:26
King James Version
A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
New International Version
Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
New Living Translation
If the godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.
Psalm 144:1
King James Version
Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.
New International Version
Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
New Living Translation
Praise the Lord, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle.
Titus 3:2
King James Version
To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
New International Version
to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
New Living Translation
They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.
Proverbs 14:16
King James Version
A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
New International Version
The wise fear the Lord and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.
New Living Translation
The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.
