Bible Verses for Forgiveness
King James Version (KJV)
Forgiveness is one of the most powerful — and most difficult — themes in the Christian life. The Bible calls us to forgive as we have been forgiven (Colossians 3:13), which requires both the grace to let go and the faith to trust that God handles justice.
These Bible verses for forgiveness speak to all sides: the struggle to forgive those who have hurt us, the freedom that comes when we release bitterness, and the profound assurance that our own sins are forgiven in Christ. Whether you need to offer forgiveness, receive it, or truly believe it — these passages speak to your need.
“¶ Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,”
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
“Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;”
“Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”
“Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;”
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
“¶ Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away.”
“Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.”
“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”
“And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”
“But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”
“‹For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:›”
“And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”
“‹But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.›”
“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.”
“¶ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”
“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
“¶ ‹Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.›”
“¶ A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.”
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”
“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”
“‹But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;›”
“Neither give place to the devil.”