VERSES ABOUT FORGIVENESS

Forgiving others brings such freedom. It's like taking off a heavy backpack you've been carrying for way too long. There's a real beauty to forgiveness, and anyone who's experienced both giving and receiving it knows what I mean. God is our ultimate example, right? He shows us how it's done and calls us to practice it every single day.

So, I encourage you to forgive, just as Christ forgives you – every single day. It's time to let go and be free. Let's be real, in this life, someone is bound to hurt or offend you. But even then, we're called to learn to forgive and love again. Get that bitterness out of your system. Trust me, it'll help you grow and move forward. It'll even strengthen your relationship with God.

As children of God, we rejoice because we've received forgiveness for our sins through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. But it's important to remember that just as we've been forgiven, our hearts need to be ready to forgive others. Mark 11:25¹ says, "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses." As long as we repent and are faithful in forgiving others, God will completely forgive us. And that's when we can truly have a fresh start!

But I say vnto you, Loue your enemies, blesse them that curse you, doe good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully vse you, and persecute you:

But I say vnto you which heare, Loue your enemies, doe good to them which hate you,Blesse them that curse you, & pray for them which despitefully vse you.

Therefore if thine enemie hunger, feed him: if he thirst, giue him drink. For in so doing thou shalt heape coales of fire on his head.

For, if yee forgiue men their trespasses, your heauenly father will also forgiue you.But, if yee forgiue not men their trespasses, neither will your father forgiue your trespasses.

And bee ye kinde one to another. tender hearted, forgiuing one another, euen as God for Christs sake hath forgiuen you.

Forbearing one another, and forgiuing one another, if any man haue a quarrell against any: euen as Christ forgaue you, so also doe yee.

Then said Iesus, Father, forgiue them, for they know not what they doe: And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sinne against mee, and I forgiue him? till seuen times?Iesus saith vnto him, I say not vnto thee, Untill seuen times: but, Untill seuentie times seuen.

Recompence to no man euill for euill. Prouide things honest in the sight of all men.If it be possible, as much as lyeth in you, liue peaceably with all men.

Not rendring euill for euill, or railing for railing: but contrarywise blessing, knowing that yee are thereunto called, that ye should inherite a blessing.

Reioyce not when thine enemie falleth: and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

If thine enemie be hungry, giue him bread to eate: and if hee be thirstie, giue him water to drinke.For thou shalt heape coales of fire vpon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.

Be ye therefore mercifull, as your Father also is mercifull.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall bee called the children of God.

But God commendeth his loue towards vs, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for vs.

If a man say, I loue God, and hateth his brother, he is a lyar. For hee that loueth not his brother whom hee hath seene, how can he loue God whom he hath not seene?And this commandement haue we from him, that he who loueth God, loue his brother also.

But loue yee your enemies, and doe good, and lend, hoping for nothing againe: and your reward shall bee great, and ye shalbe the children of the Highest: for hee is kinde vnto the vnthankfull, and to the euill.

A new commandement I giue vnto you, That yee loue one another, as I haue loued you, that yee also loue one another.By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if yee haue loue one to another.

Charitie suffereth long, and is kinde: charitie enuieth not: charitie vaunteth not it selfe, is not puffed vp,Doeth not behaue it selfe vnseemly, seeketh not her owne, is not easily prouoked, thinketh no euill,Reioyceth not in iniquitie, but reioyceth in the trueth:Beareth all things, beleeueth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Be ye therefore followers of God, as deare children.And walke in loue, as Christ also hath loued vs, and hath giuen himselfe for vs, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling sauour;

Dearely beloued, auenge not your selues, but rather giue place vnto wrath: for it is written, Uengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.

As farre as the East is from the West: so farre hath hee remooued our transgressions from vs.

And aboue all things haue feruent charitie among your selues: for charity shall couer the multitude of sinnes.

Hatred stirreth vp strifes: but loue couereth all sinnes.

Let all bitternes, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and euill speaking, be put away from you, with all malice,And bee ye kinde one to another. tender hearted, forgiuing one another, euen as God for Christs sake hath forgiuen you.

Yee haue heard that it hath beene said, An eie for an eie, and a tooth for a tooth.But I say vnto you, that yee resist not euill: but whosoeuer shall smite thee on thy right cheeke, turne to him the other also.

If we confesse our sinnes, hee is faithfull, & iust to forgiue vs our sinnes, and to cleanse vs from all vnrighteousnesse.

And forgiue vs our debts, as we forgiue our debters.

Confesse your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that yee may bee healed: the effectuall feruent prayer of a righteous man auaileth much.

Followe peace with all men, and holinesse, without which no man shall see the Lord:Looking diligently, lest any man faile of the grace of God, lest any roote of bitternesse springing vp, trouble you, and thereby many be defiled:

He that couereth a transgression, seeketh loue; but he that repeateth a matter, separateth very friends.

Take heed to your selues: If thy brother trespasse against thee, rebuke him, and if he repent, forgiue him.And if hee trespasse against thee seuen times in a day, and seuen times in a day turne againe to thee, saying, I repent, thou shalt forgiue him.

Wherfore receiue yee one another, as Christ also receiued vs, to the glory of God.

And when ye stand, praying, forgiue, if ye haue ought against any: that your Father also which is in heauen, may forgiue you your trespasses.

Put on therefore (as the elect of God, holy and beloued) bowels of mercies, kindnesse, humblenesse of minde, meekenesse, long suffering,Forbearing one another, and forgiuing one another, if any man haue a quarrell against any: euen as Christ forgaue you, so also doe yee.

Blessed are the mercifull: for they shall obtaine mercie.

The discretion of a man deferreth his anger: and it is his glory to passe ouer a transgression.

Bee kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly loue, in honour preferring one another.

Iudge not, that ye be not iudged.For with what iudgment ye iudge, yee shall be iudged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you againe.

For thou Lord art good, and ready to forgiue: and plenteous in mercie vnto all them that call vpon thee.

See that none render euill for euill vnto any man: but euer follow that which is good, both among your selues and to all men.

Hereby perceiue wee the loue of God, because he layd downe his life for vs, and wee ought to lay downe our liues for the brethren.

Loue worketh no ill to his neighbour, therefore loue is the fulfilling of the Law.

And as yee would that men should doe to you, doe yee also to them likewise.

When a mans wayes please the Lord, he maketh euen his enemies to be at peace with him.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Iesus, who walke not after the flesh, but after the spirit.

This is my Commaundement, that ye loue one another, as I haue loued you.

Shouldest not thou also haue had compassion on thy fellow-seruant, euen as I had pitie on thee?

A soft answere turneth away wrath: but grieuous words stirre vp anger.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thy selfe in any wise to doe euill.

Who when hee was reuiled, reuiled not againe; when hee suffered, hee threatned not, but committed himselfe to him that iudgeth righteously.

For wee wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darknes of this world, against spirituall wickednes in high places.

Depart from euill, and doe good: seeke peace and pursue it.

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled vs to himselfe by Iesus Christ, and hath giuen to vs the ministery of reconciliation,To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world vnto himselfe, not imputing their trespasses vnto them, and hath committed vnto vs the word of reconciliation.

But God who is rich in mercie, for his great loue wherewith hee loued vs,Euen when wee were dead in sinnes, hath quickned vs together with Christ, (by grace ye are saued)

And their sinnes and iniquities will I remember no more.

So likewise shall my heauenly Father doe also vnto you, if yee from your hearts forgiue not euery one his brother their trespasses.

And the seruant of the Lord must not striue: but bee gentle vnto all men, apt to teach, patient,In meekenesse instructing those that oppose themselues, if God peraduenture will giue them repentance to the acknowledging of the trueth.

Iudge not, and ye shall not bee iudged: condemne not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgiue, and ye shall be forgiuen.

For if when wee were enemies, we were reconciled to God, by the death of his sonne: much more being reconciled, we shalbe saued by his life.

So when they continued asking him, hee lift vp himselfe, and saide vnto them, Hee that is without sinne among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

Let him eschew euil and do good, let him seeke peace and ensue it.

A fooles wrath is presently knowen: but a prudent man couereth shame.

With all lowlinesse and meekenesse, with long suffering, forbearing one another in loue.

Let nothing bee done through strife, or vaine glory, but in lowlinesse of minde let each esteeme other better then themselues.

And labour, working with our owne hands: being reuiled, wee blesse: being persecuted, we suffer it:

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion: slow to anger, and of great mercy.

And the second is like vnto it, Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe.

But why doest thou iudge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? Wee shall all stand before the Iudgement seat of Christ.

For I will be mercifull to their vnrighteousnes, and their sins & their iniquities will I remember no more.

Brethren, if a man bee ouertaken in a fault: yee which are spirituall, restore such a one in the spirit of meeknesse, considering thy selfe least thou also be tempted.

But goe ye and learne what that meaneth, I will haue mercy and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

The mercifull man doeth good to his owne soule: but he that is cruell, troubleth his owne flesh.

But speaking the trueth in loue, may grow vp into him in all things which is the head, euen Christ:

But now you also put off all these, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemie, filthy communication out of your mouth.

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart, bringeth foorth that which is good: and an euill man out of the euill treasure of his heart, bringeth foorth that which is euill: For of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaketh.

Blessed are the meeke: for they shall inherit the earth.

He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkenesse euen vntill now.Hee that loueth his brother, abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.But he that hateth his brother, is in darknesse, and walketh in darknesse, and knoweth not whither hee goeth, because that darknesse hath blinded his eyes.

Hee that followeth after righteousnesse and mercy, findeth life, righteousnesse and honour.

The Lord is not slacke cocerning his promise (as some men count slacknesse) but is long-suffring to vs-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Let vs therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edifie an other.

Wherefore my beloued brethren, let euery man bee swift to heare, slow to speake, slow to wrath.For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousnesse of God.

Greater loue hath no man then this, that a man lay downe his life for his friends.

In whom wee haue redemption through his blood, the forgiuenesse of sinnes, according to the riches of his grace,

For euen hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for vs, leauing vs an example, that yee should follow his steps.Who did no sinne, neither was guile found in his mouth.Who when hee was reuiled, reuiled not againe; when hee suffered, hee threatned not, but committed himselfe to him that iudgeth righteously.

Therefore, thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoeuer thou art that iudgest: for wherein thou iudgest another, thou condemnest thy selfe, for thou that iudgest doest the same things.

Behold, I send you foorth as sheepe in the middest of wolues: be yee therefore wise as serpents, and harmelesse as doues.

And the Lorde make you to increase, & abound in loue one towards another, and towards all men, euen as we doe towards you:To the end hee may stablish your hearts vnblameable in holinesse before God euen our Father, at the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ with all his Saints.

I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giuing of thanks be made for all men:For Kings, and for all that are in authoritie, that we may leade a quiet and peaceable life in all godlinesse and honestie.

For hee that will loue life, and see good dayes, let him refraine his tongue from euil, and his lips that they speake no guile:Let him eschew euil and do good, let him seeke peace and ensue it.

To whom yee forgiue any thing, I forgiue also: for if I forgaue any thing, to whom I forgaue it, for your sakes forgaue I it, in the person of Christ,Lest Satan should get an aduantage of vs: for wee are not ignorant of his deuices.

I say vnto you, that likewise ioy shall be in heauen ouer one sinner that repenteth, more then ouer ninety and nine iust persons, which need no repentance.

And the King shall answere, and say vnto them, Uerely I say vnto you, in as much as ye haue done it vnto one of the least of these my brethren, ye haue done it vnto me.

Wee then that are strong, ought to beare the infirmities of the weake, and not to please our selues.Let euery one of vs please his neighbour for his good to edification.

Finally, brethren, whatsoeuer things are true, whatsoeuer things are honest, whatsoeuer things are iust, whatsoeuer things are pure, whatsoeuer things are louely, whatsoeuer things are of good report: if there bee any vertue, and if there bee any praise, thinke on these things:

Let loue bee without dissimulation: abhorre that which is euill, cleaue to that which is good.

And he answering, said, Thou shalt loue the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soule, and with all thy strength, and with all thy minde, and thy neighbour as thy selfe.

Let all your things be done with charitie.

If I then your Lord and Master haue washed your feete, yee also ought to wash one anothers feete.For I haue giuen you an example, that yee should doe, as I haue done to you.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good workes, and glorifie your father which is in heauen.

Likewise ye yonger, submit your selues vnto the elder: yea, all of you bee subiect one to another, and bee clothed with humilitie: for God resisteth the proud, and giueth grace to the humble.Humble yourselues therefore vnder the mighty hand of God, that hee may exalt you in due time,

Let brotherly loue continue.Bee not forgetfull to entertaine strangers, for thereby some haue entertayned Angels vnawares.

For all the Law is fulfilled in one word, euen in this: Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe.

Beloued, let vs loue one another; for loue is of God: and euery one that loueth, is borne of God and knoweth God.

Finally, brethren, farewell: Bee perfect, bee of good comfort, bee of one minde, liue in peace, and the God of loue and peace shalbe with you.

Who shall separate vs from the loue of Christ? shall tribulation, or distresse, or persecution, or famine, or nakednesse, or perill, or sword?(As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long, wee are accounted as sheepe for the slaughter.)Nay in all these things wee are more then conquerours, through him that loued vs.

Say not thou, I will recompence euil: but wait on the Lord, and he shall saue thee.

My little children, these things write I vnto you, that ye sinne not. And if any man sinne, we haue an Aduocate with the Father, Iesus Christ the righteous:

Blessed are they which doe hunger and thirst after righteousnesse: for they shall be filled.

What, know ye not that your body is the Temple of the holy Ghost which is in you, which yee haue of God, and ye are not your owne?For yee are bought with a price: therefore glorifie God in your body, and in your spirit, which are Gods.

Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to doe it.

Brethren, I count not my selfe to haue apprehended: but this one thing I doe, forgetting those things which are behinde, and reaching forth vnto those things which are before,I presse toward the marke, for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus.

And wee know that all things worke together for good, to them that loue God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

I am crucified with Christ. Neuertheles, I liue, yet not I, but Christ liueth in me, and the life which I now liue in the flesh, I liue by the faith of the sonne of God, who loued mee, and gaue himselfe for me.

For he shall haue iudgement without mercie, that hath shewed no mercy, & mercie reioyceth against iudgement.

Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remooue this cup from me: neuerthelesse, not my will, but thine be done.

Wherefore, seeing wee also are compassed about with so great a cloude of witnesses, let vs lay aside euery weight, & the sinne which doth so easily beset vs, and let vs runne with patience vnto the race that is set before vs,Looking vnto Iesus the Authour and finisher of our faith, who for the ioy that was set before him, endured the crosse, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Bee not deceiued: euill communications corrupt good manners.

What shall we say then? shall wee continue in sinne: that grace may abound?God forbid: how shall wee that are dead to sinne, liue any longer therein?

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will performe it vntil the day of Iesus Christ:

That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, to bee strengthened with might, by his Spirit in the inner man,That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that yee being rooted and grounded in loue,

Be yee therefore perfect, euen as your father, which is in heauen, is perfect.

Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour vnto him that fell among the theeues?And he said, He that shewed mercie on him. Then said Iesus vnto him, Goe, and doe thou likewise.

For he hath made him to be sinne for vs, who knewe no sinne, that wee might bee made the righteousnesse of God in him.

Yee are the salt of the earth: But if the salt haue lost his sauour, wherewith shall it bee salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be troden vnder foote of men.Yee are the light of the world. A citie that is set on an hill, cannot be hid.

And of his fulnesse haue all wee receiued, and grace for grace.

I haue fought a good fight, I haue finished my course, I haue kept the faith.Hencefoorth there is layde vp for me a crowne of righteousnesse, which the Lord the righteous iudge shall giue me at that day: and not to me only, but vnto them also that loue his appearing.

And this is the confidence that we haue in him, that if wee aske any thing according to his will, hee heareth vs.And if we know that he heare vs, whatsoeuer wee aske, wee know that we haue the petitions that wee desired of him.

[A Psalme of Dauid.] The Lord is my shepheard, I shall not want.He maketh me to lie downe in greene pastures: he leadeth mee beside the still waters.He restoreth my soule: he leadeth me in the pathes of righteousnes, for his names sake.

Seeing yee haue purified your soules in obeying the truth through the Spirit, vnto vnfained loue of the brethren: see that ye loue one another with a pure heart feruently,

Endeuouring to keepe the vnitie of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

But seeke ye first the kingdome of God, and his righteousnesse, and all these things shalbe added vnto you.

For it is God which worketh in you, both to will, and to doe, of his good pleasure.

But sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts, & be ready alwayes to giue an answere to euery man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekenesse and feare:

And behold, they brought to him a man sicke of the palsie, lying on a bed: and Iesus seeing their faith, said vnto the sicke of the palsie, Sonne, be of good cheere, thy sinnes be forgiuen thee.

God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit, and in trueth.

That ye might walke worthy of the Lord vnto all pleasing, being fruitfull in euery good worke, & increasing in the knowledge of God:

Blessed are the poore in spirit: for theirs is the kingdome of heauen.

So then, faith commeth by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

We know that whosoeuer is borne of God, sinneth not: but hee that is begotten of God, keepeth himselfe, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

For yee were sometimes darkenesse, but now are yee light in the Lord: walke as children of light,(For the fruite of the spirit is in all goodnesse and righteousnesse & trueth.)

And not onely so, but we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience:And patience, experience: and experience, hope:

If any of you lacke wisedome, let him aske of God, that giueth to all men liberally, and vpbraideth not: and it shalbe giuen him.

But my God shall supply all your need, according to his riches in glory, by Christ Iesus.

Peace I leaue with you, my peace I giue vnto you, not as the world giueth, giue I vnto you: let not your heart bee troubled, neither let it bee afraid.

The Lord is nigh vnto them that are of a broken heart: and saueth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Thou wilt keepe him in perfect peace, whose minde is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and leaue not vnto thine owne vnderstanding.In all thy wayes acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy pathes.

For all haue sinned, and come short of the glory of God,

Now I beseech you brethren by the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ, that yee all speake the same thing, and that there be no diuisions among you: but that ye be perfectly ioyned together in the same minde, and in the same iudgement.

Prayer