26 Bible Verses About Anger (NIV & KJV)

Anger is one of the most powerful emotions we experience, and Scripture has much to say about how to handle it. The Bible does not command us to never feel anger; instead, it teaches us to be slow to wrath and quick to control our reactions. Uncontrolled anger leads to sin, broken relationships, and regret, while godly restraint brings peace.

These Bible verses about anger offer wisdom for anyone struggling with a short temper, harboring resentment, or trying to respond gracefully when provoked. Whether you are battling frustration in your home, your workplace, or your own heart, God's Word provides direction.

This collection of Bible Scriptures will help you understand the difference between righteous anger and sinful wrath, and how to walk in patience and self-control.

🔥 Be Slow to Anger

Scripture repeatedly praises those who are patient and measured rather than quick-tempered.

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,”— James 1:19 (NIV)“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”— James 1:19 (KJV)

“Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”— Proverbs 16:32 (NIV)“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”— Proverbs 16:32 (KJV)

“A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.”— Proverbs 14:17 (NIV)“He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.”— Proverbs 14:17 (KJV)

“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”— Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.”— Proverbs 19:11 (KJV)

“Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.”— Proverbs 14:29 (NIV)“He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.”— Proverbs 14:29 (KJV)

🕊️ A Soft Answer Turns Away Wrath

How we respond to others can either calm a conflict or ignite it.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”— Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”— Proverbs 15:1 (KJV)

“A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.”— Proverbs 15:18 (NIV)“A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.”— Proverbs 15:18 (KJV)

“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.”— Psalm 37:8 (NIV)“Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.”— Psalm 37:8 (KJV)

“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered,”— Proverbs 22:24 (NIV)“Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:”— Proverbs 22:24 (KJV)

⛔ Put Away Wrath and Bitterness

The New Testament calls believers to lay aside anger as part of their new life in Christ.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”— Ephesians 4:31 (NIV)“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”— Ephesians 4:31 (KJV)

““In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,”— Ephesians 4:26 (NIV)“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”— Ephesians 4:26 (KJV)

“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”— Colossians 3:8 (NIV)“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.”— Colossians 3:8 (KJV)

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,”— Philippians 2:3 (NIV)“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”— Philippians 2:3 (KJV)

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;”— Galatians 5:19 (NIV)“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,”— Galatians 5:19 (KJV)

🙏 Trust God Instead of Seeking Revenge

When we are wronged, God calls us to release our anger and leave justice to Him.

“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.”— Romans 12:19 (NIV)“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”— Romans 12:19 (KJV)

“Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.”— Proverbs 20:22 (NIV)“Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.”— Proverbs 20:22 (KJV)

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.”— Romans 12:17 (NIV)“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”— Romans 12:17 (KJV)

“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.”— 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (NIV)“See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”— 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (KJV)

💛 The Fruit of Patience and Mercy

God Himself is the perfect example of patience, and He calls us to reflect His mercy.

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”— Psalm 103:8 (NIV)“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.”— Psalm 103:8 (KJV)

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”— Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”— Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)

“An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.”— Proverbs 29:22 (NIV)“An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.”— Proverbs 29:22 (KJV)

“Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.”— Proverbs 14:29 (NIV)“He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.”— Proverbs 14:29 (KJV)

“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.”— Ecclesiastes 7:8 (NIV)“Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.”— Ecclesiastes 7:8 (KJV)

“Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.”— Ecclesiastes 7:9 (NIV)“Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.”— Ecclesiastes 7:9 (KJV)

“because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”— James 1:20 (NIV)“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”— James 1:20 (KJV)

What Does the Bible Say About Anger?

The Bible acknowledges that anger is a natural human emotion, but it draws a clear line between feeling anger and being controlled by it. In Ephesians 4:26, Paul writes, "Be ye angry, and sin not," showing that anger is not automatically sinful. The sin comes when anger turns into bitterness, harsh words, malice, or revenge. Scripture consistently honors the person who is "slow to anger," describing such restraint as a mark of great wisdom and strength, even greater than conquering a city.

God Himself is described as "slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy," and He calls His people to reflect that same patience. Rather than repaying evil for evil, believers are taught to give a soft answer, to forgive, and to leave vengeance to the Lord. When anger is surrendered to God, it loses its destructive power and is replaced by peace, self-control, and love.

Anger is a battle every believer faces, but you do not have to fight it alone. Lean on God's promises and explore more encouragement through these Bible verses about patience, these Bible verses about self-control, and these Bible verses about peace as you learn to respond with grace.