147 Bible verses about the Importance of Forgiveness

"For ifyou forgiveothersfor their transgressions,your heavenlyFatherwill alsoforgiveyou.

"But ifyou do not forgiveothers,thenyour Fatherwill not forgiveyour transgressions.

Be kindto one another,tender-hearted,forgivingeach other,justas Godin Christalsohas forgivenyou.

bearingwith one another,and forgivingeach other,whoeverhasa complaintagainstanyone;justas the Lordforgaveyou, soalsoshould you.

"Do not judge,and you will not be judged;and do not condemn,and you will not be condemned;pardon,and you will be pardoned.

Ifwe confessour sins,He is faithfuland righteousto forgiveus our sinsand to cleanseus from allunrighteousness.

ThenPetercameand saidto Him, "Lord,how oftenshall my brothersinagainstme and I forgivehim? Up to seven times?"

Jesussaidto him, "I do not sayto you, up to seven times,but up to seventy timesseven.

"Thereforeifyou are presentingyour offeringat the altar,and thererememberthat your brotherhassomethingagainstyou,

leaveyour offeringtherebeforethe altarand go;firstbe reconciledto your brother,and thencomeand presentyour offering.

"Wheneveryou standpraying,forgive,ifyou haveanythingagainstanyone,sothat your Fatherwhois in heavenwill alsoforgiveyou your transgressions.

But ifanyhas causedsorrow, he has caused sorrownot to me, but in some degree--in ordernot to say too much--to allof you.

Sufficientfor such a oneis thispunishmentwhich [was] [inflicted] by the majority,

sothat on the contraryyou should ratherforgiveand comfort[him], otherwisesuch a onemight be overwhelmedby excessivesorrow.

WhereforeI urgeyou to reaffirm[your] lovefor him.

He who concealsa transgressionseekslove,But he who repeatsa matterseparatesintimatefriends.

Ifpossible,so faras it dependson you, be at peacewith allmen.

For You, Lord,are good,and readyto forgive,And abundantin lovingkindnessto allwho callupon You.

"My heavenlyFatherwill alsodothe sameto you, ifeachof you does not forgivehis brotherfrom your heart."

"Be on your guard!Ifyour brothersins,rebukehim; and ifhe repents,forgivehim.

"And ifhe sinsagainstyou seventimesa day,and returnsto you seven times,saying,'I repent,'forgivehim."

Therefore,confessyour sinsto oneanother,and prayfor one anothersothat you may be healed.The effectiveprayerof a righteous mancanaccomplishmuch.

And forgiveus our debts,as we alsohave forgivenour debtors.

In Him we haveredemptionthroughHis blood,the forgivenessof our trespasses,accordingto the richesof His grace

As faras the eastis from the west,So farhas He removedour transgressionsfrom us.

Nevertakeyour ownrevenge,beloved,but leaveroomfor the wrath[of God], for it is written,"VENGEANCEIS MINE,I WILL REPAY,"saysthe Lord.

for thisis My bloodof the covenant,which is pouredout for manyfor forgivenessof sins.

Hatredstirsup strife,But lovecoversalltransgressions.

does not act unbecomingly;it does not seekits own,is not provoked,does not take into accounta wrong[suffered],

"AND THEIR SINSAND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDSI WILL REMEMBERNOMORE."

But Jesuswas saying,"Father,forgivethem; for they do not knowwhatthey are doing."And they castlots,dividingup His garmentsamongthemselves.

How blessedis he whose transgressionis forgiven,Whose sinis covered!

not returningevilfor evilorinsultfor insult,but giving a blessinginstead;for you were calledfor the verypurpose that you might inherita blessing.

"Ifyou forgivethe sinsof any,[their sins] have been forgiventhem; ifyou retainthe [sins] of any,they have been retained."

Blessthosewho persecuteyou; blessand do not curse.

Ifyour enemyis hungry,givehim foodto eat;And ifhe is thirsty,givehim waterto drink;

For you will heapburning coalson his head,And the LORDwill rewardyou.

"Comenow,and let us reasontogether," Saysthe LORD,"Thoughyour sinsare as scarlet,They will be as whiteas snow;Thoughthey are redlike crimson,They will be like wool.

"FOR I WILL BE MERCIFULTO THEIR INIQUITIES,AND I WILL REMEMBERTHEIR SINSNOMORE."

IfYou, LORD,should markiniquities,O Lord,whocould stand?

But there is forgivenesswith You, That You may be feared.

Whois a GodlikeYou, who pardonsiniquityAnd passesoverthe rebelliousactof the remnantof His possession?He does not retainHis angerforever,BecauseHe delightsin unchanginglove.

He will againhavecompassionon us; He will treadour iniquitiesunderfoot.Yes, You will castalltheir sinsInto the depthsof the sea.

He who concealshis transgressionswill not prosper,But he who confessesand forsakes[them] will findcompassion.

But GoddemonstratesHis ownlovetowardus, in that while we were yetsinners,Christdiedfor us.

Let allbitternessand wrathand angerand clamorand slanderbe put awayfrom you, alongwith allmalice.

"In everything,therefore,treatpeoplethe same wayyou wantthem to treatyou, for thisis the Lawand the Prophets.

Aboveall,keepferventin your lovefor one another,becauselovecoversa multitudeof sins.

Loveis patient,loveis kind[and] is not jealous;lovedoes not brag[and] is not arrogant,

does not act unbecomingly;it does not seekits own,is not provoked,does not take into accounta wrong[suffered],

does not rejoicein unrighteousness,but rejoiceswith the truth;

bearsallthings,believesallthings,hopesall things,enduresall things.

Therefore,acceptone another,justas Christalsoacceptedus to the gloryof God.

"Blessedare the merciful,for they shall receive mercy.

Be graciousto me, O God,according to Your lovingkindness;According to the greatnessof Your compassionblotout my transgressions.

Washme thoroughlyfrom my iniquityAnd cleanseme from my sin.

A man'sdiscretionmakeshim slowto anger,And it is his gloryto overlooka transgression.

For judgment[will be] mercilessto one who has shownnomercy;mercytriumphs overjudgment.

and He Himselfboreour sinsin His bodyon the cross,sothat we might dieto sinand liveto righteousness;for by His woundsyou were healed.

"But goand learnwhatthis means:I DESIRECOMPASSION,AND NOT SACRIFICE,'for I did not cometo callthe righteous,but sinners."

For He rescuedus from the domainof darkness,and transferredus to the kingdomof His belovedSon,

in whomwe haveredemption,the forgivenessof sins.

For by graceyou have been savedthroughfaith;and that not of yourselves,[it is] the giftof God;

not as a resultof works,sothat noonemay boast.

The LORDis compassionateand gracious,Slowto angerand aboundingin lovingkindness.

He will not alwaysstrive[with us], Norwill He keep[His anger] forever.

He has not dealtwith us according to our sins,Norrewardedus according to our iniquities.

Brethren,evenifanyoneis caughtin anytrespass,you who are spiritual,restoresuch a onein a spiritof gentleness;[each one] lookingto yourself,sothat you toowill not be tempted.

Seeto it that noonecomes shortof the graceof God;that norootof bitternessspringingup causes trouble,and by it manybe defiled;

"Do not judgesothat you will not be judged.

"For in the wayyou judge,you will be judged;and by your standardof measure,it will be measuredto you.

Nowall [these] thingsare from God,whoreconciledus to HimselfthroughChristand gaveus the ministryof reconciliation,

namely,that Godwas in Christreconcilingthe worldto Himself,not countingtheir trespassesagainst them, and He has committedto us the wordof reconciliation.

Finally,brethren,whateveris true,whateveris honorable,whateveris right,whateveris pure,whateveris lovely,whateveris of good repute,ifthere is anyexcellenceand ifanythingworthy of praise,dwellon these things.

Thereforethere is nownocondemnationfor thosewho are in ChristJesus.

The Lord'sbond-servantmustnot be quarrelsome,but be kindto all,able to teach,patient when wronged,

with gentlenesscorrectingthosewho are in opposition,if perhapsGodmay grantthem repentanceleadingto the knowledgeof the truth,

Createin me a cleanheart,O God,And renewa steadfastspiritwithinme.

My little children,I am writingthese thingsto you sothat you may not sin.And ifanyonesins,we havean Advocatewith the Father,JesusChristthe righteous;

and He Himselfis the propitiationfor our sins;and not for oursonly,but alsofor [those of] the wholeworld.

"For thisreasonI sayto you, her sins,which are many,have been forgiven,for she lovedmuch;but he whois forgivenlittle,loveslittle."

The LORDis nearto the brokenheartedAnd savesthose whoare crushedin spirit.

And Jesusseeingtheir faithsaidto the paralytic,"Son,your sinsare forgiven."

Shouldyou not alsohave hadmercyon your fellow slave,in the same waythat I had mercyon you?'

By lovingkindnessand truthiniquityis atonedfor, And by the fearof the LORDone keepsawayfrom evil.

I have goneastraylike a lostsheep;seekYour servant,For I do not forgetYour commandments.

[Let] love[be] without hypocrisy.Abhorwhat is evil;clingto what is good.

"For ifyou forgiveothersfor their transgressions,your heavenlyFatherwill alsoforgiveyou.

"Treatothersthe same wayyou wantthem to treatyou.

"A newcommandmentI giveto you, that you loveoneanother,evenas I have lovedyou, that you alsoloveone another.

"By thisall menwill knowthat you are My disciples,ifyou havelovefor one another."

"HE MUST TURN AWAYFROM EVILAND DOGOOD;HE MUST SEEKPEACEAND PURSUEIT.

Let the wickedforsakehis wayAnd the unrighteousmanhis thoughts;And let him returnto the LORD,And He will havecompassionon him, And to our God,For He will abundantlypardon.

Actually,then,it is alreadya defeatfor you, that you havelawsuitswith one another.Whynot ratherbe wronged?Whynot ratherbe defrauded?

But onewhomyou forgiveanything,I [forgive] also; for indeedwhatI have forgiven,ifI have forgivenanything,[I did it] for your sakesin the presenceof Christ,

sothat noadvantage would be takenof us by Satan,for we are not ignorantof his schemes.

A gentleanswerturnsawaywrath,But a harshwordstirsup anger.

Seethat noonerepaysanotherwith evilfor evil,but alwaysseek afterthat which is goodfor one anotherand for all people.

"Blessedare the peacemakers,for they shall be calledsonsof God.

Let no oneseekhis own[good], but that of his neighbor.

Do nothingfrom selfishnessorempty conceit,but with humility of mindregardone anotheras more importantthan yourselves;

do not [merely] lookout for your ownpersonalinterests, but alsofor the interests of others.

Lookupon my afflictionand my trouble,And forgiveallmy sins.

"I, even I, am the one who wipesout your transgressionsfor My own sake,And I will not rememberyour sins.

for allhave sinnedand fall shortof the gloryof God,

being justifiedas a giftby His gracethroughthe redemptionwhich is in ChristJesus;

Thereforebe imitatorsof God,as belovedchildren;

and walkin love,justas Christalsolovedyou and gaveHimselfup for us, an offeringand a sacrificeto Godas a fragrantaroma.

Purifyme with hyssop,and I shall be clean;Washme, and I shall be whiterthansnow.

"Thensummoninghim, his lordsaidto him, 'You wickedslave,I forgaveyou allthat debtbecauseyou pleadedwith me.

Shouldyou not alsohave hadmercyon your fellow slave,in the same waythat I had mercyon you?'

For our struggleis not againstfleshand blood,but againstthe rulers,againstthe powers,againstthe world forcesof thisdarkness,againstthe spiritual[forces] of wickednessin the heavenly[places].

And forgiveus our sins,For we ourselvesalsoforgiveeveryonewho is indebtedto us. And leadus not into temptation.'"

"BUT IFYOUR ENEMYIS HUNGRY,FEEDHIM, AND IFHE IS THIRSTY,GIVE HIM A DRINK;FOR IN SODOINGYOU WILL HEAPBURNINGCOALSON HIS HEAD."

Do not be overcomeby evil,but overcomeevilwith good.

And accordingto the Law,[one may] almost[say], all thingsare cleansedwith blood,and withoutshedding of bloodthere is noforgiveness.

"For the Sonof Manhas cometo seekand to savethat which was lost."

"For Goddid not sendthe Soninto the worldto judgethe world,but that the worldmight be savedthroughHim.

but thanksbe to God,who givesus the victorythroughour LordJesusChrist.

But He was piercedthroughfor our transgressions,He was crushedfor our iniquities;The chasteningfor our well-being[fell] upon Him, And by His scourgingwe are healed.

Allof us like sheephave goneastray,Eachof us has turnedto his own way;But the LORDhas caused the iniquityof us allTo fallon Him.

"ThereforeI sayto you, anysinand blasphemyshall be forgivenpeople,but blasphemyagainst the Spiritshall not be forgiven.

Who pardonsallyour iniquities,Who healsallyour diseases;

Who redeemsyour lifefrom the pit,Who crownsyou with lovingkindnessand compassion;

[This] you know,my belovedbrethren.But everyonemust be quickto hear,slowto speak[and] slowto anger;

So,as those who have been chosenof God,holyand beloved,puton a heartof compassion,kindness,humility,gentlenessand patience;

Thereforelet us not judgeone anotheranymore,but ratherdeterminethis--not to putan obstacleora stumbling blockin a brother'sway.

But God,beingrichin mercy,becauseof His greatlovewith whichHe lovedus,

evenwhen we were deadin our transgressions,made us alive togetherwith Christ(by graceyou have beensaved),

"But I sayto you, loveyour enemiesand prayfor thosewho persecuteyou,

Beloved,let us loveone another,for loveis from God;and everyonewho lovesis bornof Godand knowsGod.

The one who does not lovedoes not knowGod,for Godis love.

For we knowHim who said,"VENGEANCEIS MINE,I WILL REPAY."And again,"THE LORDWILL JUDGEHIS PEOPLE."

It is a terrifying thingto fallinto the handsof the livingGod.

And he answered,"YOU SHALL LOVETHE LORDYOUR GODWITH ALLYOUR HEART,AND WITH ALLYOUR SOUL,AND WITH ALLYOUR STRENGTH,AND WITH ALLYOUR MIND;AND YOUR NEIGHBORAS YOURSELF."

Do not rejoicewhen your enemyfalls,And do not let your heartbe gladwhen he stumbles;

Orthe LORDwill see[it] and be displeased,And turnHis angerawayfrom him.

But the wisdomfrom aboveis firstpure,thenpeaceable,gentle,reasonable,fullof mercyand goodfruits,unwavering,without hypocrisy.

Ceasefrom angerand forsakewrath;Do not fret;[it leads] onlyto evildoing.

But nowfaith,hope,love,abidethesethree;but the greatestof theseis love.

"For the mountainsmay be removedand the hillsmay shake,But My lovingkindnesswill not be removedfrom you, And My covenantof peacewill not be shaken,"Saysthe LORDwho hascompassionon you.

that He would grantyou, accordingto the richesof His glory,to be strengthenedwith powerthroughHis Spiritin the innerman,

so that Christmay dwellin your heartsthroughfaith;[and] that you, being rootedand groundedin love,

When you were deadin your transgressionsand the uncircumcisionof your flesh,He made you alive togetherwith Him, having forgivenus allour transgressions,

having canceledout the certificate of debtconsisting of decreesagainstus, whichwas hostileto us; and He has takenit out of the way,having nailedit to the cross.

For as highas the heavensare abovethe earth,So greatis His lovingkindnesstowardthose who fearHim.

As faras the eastis from the west,So farhas He removedour transgressionsfrom us.

But as manyas receivedHim, to them He gavethe rightto becomechildrenof God,[even] to thosewho believein His name,

But you are A CHOSENRACE,A royalPRIESTHOOD,A HOLYNATION,A PEOPLEFOR [God's] OWN POSSESSION,sothat you may proclaimthe excellenciesof Him who has calledyou out of darknessinto His marvelouslight;

for you oncewere NOT A PEOPLE,but nowyou are THE PEOPLEOF GOD;you had NOT RECEIVEDMERCY,but nowyou have RECEIVED MERCY.

The sacrificesof Godare a brokenspirit;A brokenand a contriteheart,O God,You will not despise.

"Thisis My commandment,that you loveone another,justas I have lovedyou.

"BLESSEDARE THOSE WHOSELAWLESS DEEDSHAVE BEEN FORGIVEN,AND WHOSESINSHAVE BEEN COVERED.

"BLESSEDIS THE MANWHOSESINTHE LORDWILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT."

And when He had takena cupand giventhanks,He gave[it] to them, saying,"Drinkfrom it, allof you;

for thisis My bloodof the covenant,which is pouredout for manyfor forgivenessof sins.

For we do not havea high priestwhocannotsympathizewith our weaknesses,but One whohas been temptedin all thingsas [we are, yet] withoutsin.

Thereforelet us draw nearwith confidenceto the throneof grace,sothat we may receivemercyand findgraceto helpin time of need.

The mercifulmandoeshimselfgood,But the cruelmandoeshimselfharm.

Therefore,having been justifiedby faith,we havepeacewith Godthroughour LordJesusChrist,

"And the lordof that slavefelt compassionand releasedhim and forgavehim the debt.

Do not grievethe HolySpiritof God,by whomyou were sealedfor the dayof redemption.

Let allbitternessand wrathand angerand clamorand slanderbe put awayfrom you, alongwith allmalice.

Let your speechalwaysbe with grace,[as though] seasonedwith salt,so that you will knowhowyou shouldrespondto eachperson.

But there is forgivenesswith You, That You may be feared.

For throughthe gracegivento me I sayto everyoneamongyou not to think more highlyof himself thanhe oughtto think;but to thinksoas to have sound judgment,as Godhas allottedto eacha measureof faith.

And do not leadus into temptation,but deliverus from evil.[For Yoursis the kingdomand the powerand the gloryforever.Amen].'

"But the tax collector,standingsome distance away,was evenunwillingto liftup his eyesto heaven,but was beatinghis breast,saying,'God,be mercifulto me, the sinner!'

Nowmay the Godwho givesperseveranceand encouragementgrantyou to be of the samemindwith one anotheraccordingto ChristJesus,

I acknowledgedmy sinto You, And my iniquityI did not hide;I said,"I will confessmy transgressionsto the LORD";And You forgavethe guiltof my sin.Selah.

He who concealshatred[has] lyinglips,And he who spreadsslanderis a fool.

Submitthereforeto God.Resistthe deviland he will fleefrom you.

"But sothat you may knowthat the Sonof Manhasauthorityon earthto forgivesins"--thenHe saidto the paralytic,"Getup, pickup your bedand gohome."

For whateverwas written in earlier timeswas writtenfor our instruction,sothat throughperseveranceand the encouragementof the Scriptureswe might havehope.

"In the same way,I tellyou, there is joyin the presenceof the angelsof Godoveronesinnerwho repents."

Be strongand let your hearttakecourage,Allyou who hopein the LORD.

"Therefore,COMEOUT FROM THEIR MIDSTAND BE SEPARATE,"saysthe Lord."AND DO NOT TOUCHWHAT IS UNCLEAN;And I will welcomeyou.

"Ifyour brothersins, goand show him his faultin private;ifhe listensto you, you have wonyour brother.

"I have been crucifiedwith Christ;and it is no longerI who live,but Christlivesin me; and the [life] whichI nowlivein the fleshI liveby faithin the Sonof God,who lovedme and gaveHimselfup for me.

Graciousis the LORD,and righteous;Yes, our Godis compassionate.

Be of the samemindtowardone another;do not be haughtyin mind,but associatewith the lowly.Do not be wisein your own estimation.

"I have wipedout your transgressionslike a thickcloudAnd your sinslike a heavymist.Returnto Me, for I have redeemedyou."

"Let your lightshinebeforemenin such a waythat they may seeyour goodworks,and glorifyyour Fatherwho is in heaven.

and throughHim to reconcileall thingsto Himself,having made peacethroughthe bloodof His cross;throughHim, [I say], whetherthings on earthorthings in heaven.

And although you were formerlyalienatedand hostilein mind,[engaged] in evildeeds,

yetHe has nowreconciledyou in His fleshlybodythroughdeath,in order to presentyou beforeHim holyand blamelessand beyond reproach--

castingallyour anxietyon Him, becauseHe caresfor you.

For the wagesof sinis death,but the free giftof Godis eternallifein ChristJesusour Lord.

"The thiefcomesonlyto stealand killand destroy;I camethat they may havelife,and have[it] abundantly.

let us draw nearwith a sincereheartin full assuranceof faith,having our heartssprinkled[clean] from an evilconscienceand our bodieswashedwith purewater.

You, O LORD,will not withholdYour compassionfrom me; Your lovingkindnessand Your truthwill continuallypreserveme.

Blessedbe the Godand Fatherof our LordJesusChrist,who accordingto His greatmercyhas caused us to be born againto a livinghopethroughthe resurrectionof JesusChristfrom the dead,

to [obtain] an inheritance[which is] imperishableand undefiledand will not fade away,reservedin heavenfor you,