Bible Verses About Anger (KJV) With a Prayer
Bible verses about anger from the King James Version: what Scripture says about wrath and self-control, with a short reflection and a prayer for calm.
Anger is not always a sin. Ephesians 4:26 says, Be ye angry, and sin not, which tells us the feeling itself is human. The trouble starts when we act on it without thought, nurse it overnight, or let it harden into bitterness.
The verses above are mostly practical. Answer softly. Listen first. Wait before you speak. Do not carry it to bed. Each one points to the same truth: the strength worth having is the strength to rule your own spirit, and that strength is a gift we ask God for.
A Prayer for Calm
Lord Jesus, You know the heat rising in me. I bring it to You before I bring it to anyone else.
Slow my tongue and open my ears. Where I have been hurt, heal me. Where I have hurt others, forgive me and show me how to make it right. Do not let this anger settle into bitterness.
Give me a soft answer when I want a sharp one. Give me the courage to forgive as I have been forgiven. Fill the space where my anger was with Your peace. Amen.
What to Do When Anger Rises
Pause before you answer. Breathe slowly and say a short prayer, such as "Lord, calm my heart." If you can, step away from the situation for a few minutes.
Before sleep, ask whether any anger remains from the day. Name it to God, and if possible decide on one small step toward peace with the person involved. Catholics may also find the Sacrament of Reconciliation a real help when anger has become a habit.
Praying for the person who angered you is hard, but it often loosens the grip of resentment faster than anything else.
Scripture to Pray With
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 (KJV)
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20 (KJV)
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:26-27 (KJV)
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 (KJV)
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)
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Psalm 37:8 (KJV)
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 (KJV)
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
Proverbs 14:29 (KJV)
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
Proverbs 29:11 (KJV)
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Colossians 3:8 (KJV)
For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Psalm 30:5 (KJV)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is anger a sin in the Bible?
Not by itself. Ephesians 4:26 says, "Be ye angry, and sin not." Anger becomes sin when it leads to harmful words or actions, or when it is held onto as bitterness.
What does the Bible say about controlling anger?
It urges us to be slow to wrath (James 1:19), to give a soft answer (Proverbs 15:1) and to rule our spirit (Proverbs 16:32).
What does "let not the sun go down upon your wrath" mean?
It means to deal with anger quickly and not carry it into the night, seeking peace or forgiveness as soon as you reasonably can.
Which Bible verse helps with anger?
Proverbs 15:1 is a good one to remember: "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."
Last updated 2026-10-27