# Where is “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger” in the Bible?

> “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger” is James 1:19.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/be-quick-to-listen-slow-to-speak-slow-to-anger
By Andrew Kittridge · November 10, 2026

James writes it in his letter to Jewish believers scattered abroad.

## The verse

> Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: every person must be ready to listen, in no hurry to speak, and slow to anger,
>
> — [James 1:19](https://www.lumin.faith/read/james/1#19) (Lumin Translation)

English Bibles word this verse in different ways. The Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible, is quoted here.

## What it means there

The reason is in the next verse: human anger does not produce the righteousness God wants (James 1:20).

## Common questions

### Where is “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger” in the Bible?

“Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger” is James 1:19. English Bibles word this verse in different ways. The Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible, is quoted here. James writes it in his letter to Jewish believers scattered abroad.

### Is “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger” in the Bible?

Yes. It is James 1:19. In the Lumin Translation, James 1:19 reads: “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: every person must be ready to listen, in no hurry to speak, and slow to anger,”

### Who said “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger”?

James writes it in his letter to Jewish believers scattered abroad.

### What does “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger” mean in the Bible?

The reason is in the next verse: human anger does not produce the righteousness God wants (James 1:20).

## More

- [Where is “With the Lord one day is like a thousand years” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/with-the-lord-one-day-is-like-a-thousand-years.md)
- [Where is “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/holy-holy-holy-is-the-lord-god-almighty.md)
- [Is “Alcohol” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/alcohol.md)
- [Is “Budget” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/budget.md)
- [Is “Demon” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/demon.md)
- [Is “Eucharist” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/eucharist.md)
- [Is “Halloween” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/halloween.md)
- [Is “Karma” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/karma.md)
- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)