21 Bible Verses For Forgiveness And Repentance

Forgiveness and repentance—two words that carry a lot of weight and even more power. Whether you’re the one seeking forgiveness or the one offering it, these acts can transform lives and mend relationships. But let’s be honest: forgiving someone or admitting our own wrongs isn’t always easy. It takes courage, humility, and a whole lot of grace.

The good news? We’re not left to figure it out on our own. The Bible is filled with wisdom and guidance on how to navigate these challenging waters. It reminds us that forgiveness is not just a gift we give to others, but also a gift we give to ourselves. And repentance? It’s the first step toward healing and renewal.

So, if you’re wrestling with the weight of past mistakes or struggling to let go of a grudge, take heart. These 21 Bible verses about forgiveness and repentance offer a roadmap to freedom and peace. Let them inspire you to embrace the power of a fresh start.

21 Bible Verses For Forgiveness And Repentance

Verses About Forgiveness from God
Verses About Forgiving Others
Verses About Repentance and Turning Away from Sin
Verses About The Joy and Freedom of Forgiveness

Forgiveness from God is a profound gift that offers a fresh start and a clean slate. The story of the prodigal son beautifully illustrates this, as the father welcomes his wayward child back with open arms, symbolizing divine forgiveness that is always ready to embrace us, no matter how far we’ve strayed. This kind of forgiveness is not earned but freely given, highlighting the boundless grace that is available to all who seek it.

1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Psalm 103:12: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

Micah 7:18–19: “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”

Hebrews 8:12: “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Forgiving others can be one of the most challenging aspects of our spiritual journey. Yet, it is a powerful act that can break the chains of bitterness and resentment. Jesus’ teaching about forgiving seventy times seven times emphasizes the limitless nature of forgiveness we are called to extend to others. This act of letting go not only heals relationships but also frees our hearts from the burden of holding onto past wrongs.

Matthew 6:14–15: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Colossians 3:13: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Luke 17:3–4: “So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Mark 11:25: “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Repentance is more than just feeling sorry for our wrongdoings; it involves a genuine change of heart and a conscious decision to turn away from sin. John the Baptist’s call to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” reminds us that true repentance is reflected in our actions and choices. It’s about aligning our lives with a new path, one that seeks to honor and follow divine guidance.

Acts 3:19: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”

2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Proverbs 28:13: “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

Luke 5:32: “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Isaiah 55:7: “Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”

2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

The joy and freedom that come with forgiveness are transformative. When we experience forgiveness, whether from God or others, it lifts a weight off our shoulders and fills us with a sense of peace and renewal. This liberation is akin to the release felt by the woman caught in adultery, who, after being forgiven, was told to “go and sin no more.” Such moments of grace bring a profound sense of relief and a newfound zest for life, unburdened by past mistakes.

Psalm 32:1–2: “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.”

Romans 4:7–8: “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”

Isaiah 61:10: “I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

Psalm 51:12: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

John 8:36: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”