33 Bible Verses about Forgiveness, Application Of
Most Relevant Verses
And on the morrow, Moses said unto the people, "Ye have sinned a great sin. But now I will go up unto the LORD, to wit whether I can make an atonement for your sin." And Moses went again unto the LORD and said, "O, this people have sinned a great sin and have made them a god of gold: Yet forgive them their sin, I pray thee: If not, wipe me out of thy book which thou hast written."
When I heard these words, I sat me down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven, and said, "O LORD God of heaven, thou great and terrible God, thou that keepest covenant and mercy for them that love thee and observe thy commandments: Let thine ears mark and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray now before thee day and night for the children of Israel thy servants, and knowledge the sins of the children of Israel, which we have committed against thee. And I and my father's house have sinned also.read more.
We have been corrupt unto thee, in that we have not kept the commandments, statutes, and laws which thou commandedst thy servant Moses. Yet call to remembrance the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, and saidest, 'If ye transgress, then will I scatter you abroad among the nations. But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments and do them: though ye were cast out unto the uttermost part of heaven, yet will I gather you from thence, and will bring you from thence, even unto the place that I have chosen for my name to dwell there.' They are thy servants, and thy people whom thou hast delivered through thy great power and mighty hand. O LORD, let thine ears mark the prayer of thy servant, and the prayer of thy servants, whose desire is to fear thy name; and let thy servant prosper this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's butler."
I prayed before the LORD my God, and knowledged, saying, "O LORD, thou great and fearful God, thou that keepest covenant and mercy with them which love thee, and do thy commandments: We have sinned, we have offended, we have been disobedient and gone back: yea, we have departed from all thy precepts and judgments. We would never follow thy servants the Prophets, that spake in thy name to our kings and princes, to our forefathers, and to all the people of the land.read more.
O LORD righteousness belongeth unto thee; unto us pertaineth nothing but open shame: as it is come to pass this day unto every man of Judah, and to them that dwell at Jerusalem. Yea, unto all Israel, whether they be far or nigh, throughout all lands wherein thou hast strawed them, because of the offenses that they had done against thee. Yea O LORD: Unto us, to our kings and princes, to our forefathers, even to us all that have offended thee, belongeth open shame. But unto thee O LORD our God, pertaineth mercy and forgiveness. As for us, we are gone back from him, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he laid before us by his servants the Prophets. Yea, all Israel have transgressed, and gone back from thy law, so that they have not hearkened unto thy voice. Wherefore the curse and oath, that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, against whom we have offended, is poured upon us. And he hath performed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us: to bring upon us such a great plague, as never was under heaven, like as it is now come to pass in Jerusalem. Yea, all this plague, as it is written in the law of Moses, is come upon us. Yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn again from our wickedness, and to be learned in thy verity. Therefore hath the LORD made haste, to bring this plague upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doth. For why? We would not hearken unto his voice. And now, O LORD our God, thou that with a mighty hand hast brought thy people out of Egypt, to get thyself a name, which remaineth this day: we have sinned, O LORD, and done wickedly against all thy righteousness: Yet let thy wrathful displeasure be turned away, I beseech thee, from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy hill. And why? For our sins' sake, and for the wickedness of our forefathers is Jerusalem and thy people abhorred, of all them that are about us. Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his intercession. O let thy face shine over thy Sanctuary, that lieth waste. O my God, incline thine ear, and hearken; at the least for thine own sake, open thine eyes. Behold how we be desolated: yea, and the city also, which is called after thy name. For we do not cast our prayers before thee in our own righteousnesses, no, but only in thy great mercies. O Lord, hear; O forgive Lord; O Lord consider, tarry not over long: but for thine own sake do it. O my God: for thy city and thy people is called after thy name."
The LORD God showed me such a vision: behold, there stood one that made grasshoppers, even when the corn was shooting forth, after the king had clipped his sheep. Now when they undertook to eat up all the green things in the land, I said, "O LORD God, be merciful, I beseech thee: who should else help up Jacob that is brought so low?" So the LORD was gracious therein, and the LORD said, "Well, it shall not be."read more.
Again, the LORD showed me this vision: behold, the LORD God called the fire to punish withal, and it devoured the great deep: yea, it consumed a part already. Then said I, "O LORD God, hold thine hand: who should else help up Jacob that is brought so low?" So the LORD was merciful therein, and the LORD God said, "Well, it shall not be."
And the LORD said, "The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and their sin is exceeding grievous. I will go down and see whether they have done altogether according to that cry which is come unto me or not, that I may know." And the men departed thence and went to Sodomward. But Abraham stood yet before the LORD,read more.
and drew near and said, "Wilt thou destroy the righteous with the wicked? If there be fifty righteous within the city, wilt thou destroy it and not spare the place for the sake of fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee, that thou shouldest do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, and that the righteous should be as the wicked: that be far from thee. Should not the Judge of all the world do according to right?" And the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, I will spare all the place for their sakes." And Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, and yet am but dust and ashes. What though there lack five of fifty righteous, wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five?" And he said, "If I find there forty and five I will not destroy them." And he spake unto him yet again, and said, "What if there be forty found there?" And he said, "I will not do it for forty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak. What if there be found thirty there?" And he said, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." And he said, "Oh, see, I have begun to speak unto my LORD, what if there be twenty found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for twenty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak yet, but even once more only. What if ten be found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for ten's sake." And the LORD went his way as soon as he had left communing with Abraham. And Abraham returned unto his place.
And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified him: and the evildoers, one on right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
"Ye have heard how it is said, 'Thou shalt love thine neighbor, and hate thine enemy.' But I say unto you, Love your enemies. Bless them that curse you. Do good to them that hate you. Pray for them which do you wrong and persecute you;
And they stoned Stephen, calling on and saying, "Lord Jesus receive my spirit." And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. For they know not what they do." And when he had thus spoken he fell asleep.
And forgive us our sins: For even we forgive every man that trespasseth us, and lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen."
In the four and twentieth day of this month came the children of Israel together with fasting, and sackcloth, and earth upon them, and separated the seed of Israel from all the strange children and stood and acknowledged their sins, and the wickedness of their fathers, and they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God four times on the day; and they acknowledged, and worshipped the LORD their God four times on the day.
{To the chanter, a Psalm of David, when the Prophet Nathan came unto him, after he was gone in to Bathsheba} Have mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness; according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences. Wash me well from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my faults, and my sin is ever before me.read more.
Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight, that thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and clear when thou shalt judge. Behold, I was born in wickedness, and in sin hath my mother conceived me. But lo, thou hast a pleasure in the truth, and hast showed me secret wisdom. Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Oh let me hear of joy and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Turn thy face from my sins, and put out all my misdeeds. Make in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy spirit from me. O give me the comfort of thy help again, and establish me with thy free spirit. Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked, that sinners may be converted unto thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou that art the God of my health; that my tongue may praise thy righteousness. Open my lips, O LORD, that my mouth may show thy praise. For if thou hadst pleasure in sacrifice, I would give it thee: but thou delightest not in burnt-offerings. The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, shalt thou not despise.
{An Instruction of David} Blessed is he, whose unrighteousness is forgiven, and whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man, unto whom the LORD imputeth no sin, and in whose spirit there is no guile. For while I held my tongue, my bones consumed away through my daily complaining.read more.
For thy hand is heavy upon me both day and night, and my moisture is like the drought in Summer. Selah. I will acknowledge my sin unto thee; and mine unrighteousness have I not hid. I said, "I will confess my sins unto the LORD." And so thou forgavest the wickedness of my sin. Selah.
In the same year that king Uzziah died, I saw the LORD sitting upon a high and glorious seat, and his train filled the temple. From above flickered the Seraphims, whereof every one had six wings: With twain each covered his face, with twain his feet, and with twain did he fly. They cried also each one to other on this manner: "Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of Hosts! The whole world is full of his glory!"read more.
Yea, the joists and doorchecks moved at their crying, and the house was full of smoke. Then I said, "O woe is me! For I am lost: inasmuch as I am a man of unclean lips, and dwell among people that hath unclean lips also. For mine eyes have seen the King and LORD of Hosts." Then flew one of the Seraphims unto me, having a hot coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with the tongs, and touched my mouth, and said, "Lo, this hath touched thy mouth, and thine unrighteousness is taken away, and thy sin is forgiven."
And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery, and set her in the midst and said unto him, "Master, this woman was taken in adultery, even as the deed was a doing. Moses in the law commanded us that such should be stoned: What sayest thou therefore?"read more.
And this they said to tempt him: that they might have, whereof to accuse him. Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground. And while they continued asking him, he lifted himself up; And said unto them, "Let him that is among you without sin, cast the first stone at her." And again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. And as soon as they heard that, they went out one by one, the eldest first. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself again, and saw no man, but the woman; He said unto her, "Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?" She said, "No man, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn thee. Go hence and sin no more."
"Judge not and ye shall not be judged. Condemn not: and ye shall not be condemned. Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.
"Ye have heard how it is said, 'An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, That ye resist not wrong. But whosoever give thee a blow on thy right cheek, turn to him the other. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.read more.
And whosoever will compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh, and from him that would borrow, turn not away. "Ye have heard how it is said, 'Thou shalt love thine neighbor, and hate thine enemy.' But I say unto you, Love your enemies. Bless them that curse you. Do good to them that hate you. Pray for them which do you wrong and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your father that is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to arise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth his rain on the just and unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward shall ye have? Do not the Publicans even so? And if ye be friendly to your brethren only, what singular thing do ye? Do not the Publicans likewise? Ye shall therefore be perfect even as your father which is in heaven is perfect.
"But I say unto you which hear: Love your enemies. Do good to them which hate you. Bless them that curse you. And pray for them which wrongfully trouble you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek, offer also the other. And him that taketh away thy gown, forbid not to take thy coat also.read more.
Give to every man that asketh of thee. And of him that taketh away thy goods, ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you: so do ye to them likewise. If ye love them which love you: what thank are ye worthy of? For the very sinners love their lovers. And if ye do for them which do for you: what thank are ye worthy of? For the very sinners do even the same. If ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive: what thank shall ye have: for the very sinners, lend to sinners, to receive as much again. Wherefore, love ye your enemies, do good, and lend, looking for nothing again: and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the highest: for he is kind unto the unkind, and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your father is merciful.
Now therefore as elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel to another; even as Christ forgave you, even so do ye.
If any man hath caused sorrow, the same hath not made me sorry: but partly - lest I should grieve - you all. It is sufficient unto the same man that he was rebuked of many. So that now contrariwise ye ought to forgive him and comfort him: lest that same person should be swallowed up with overmuch heaviness.read more.
Wherefore I exhort you, that love may have strength over him. For this cause verily did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye should be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also. And verily if I forgive anything, to whom I forgave it for your sakes forgave I it, in the room of Christ, lest Satan should prevent us. For his thoughts are not unknown unto us.
Be ye courteous one to another, and merciful, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake forgave you.
In conclusion, be ye all of one mind, one suffer with another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous, not rendering evil for evil, neither rebuke for rebuke: but contrariwise, bless: remembering that ye are thereunto called, even that ye should be heirs of blessing.
Rejoice not thou at the fall of thine enemy; and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth.
If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; For so shalt thou heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies. Bless them that curse you. Do good to them that hate you. Pray for them which do you wrong and persecute you;
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.
And when ye stand and pray: forgive, if ye have anything against any man; that your father also which is in heaven, may forgive you your trespasses."
For and if ye shall forgive other men their trespasses, your heavenly father shall also forgive you. But and if ye will not forgive men their trespasses, no more shall your father forgive your trespasses.
Then came Peter to him, and said, "Master, how oft shall I forgive my brother, if he sin against me? Shall I forgive him seven times?" Jesus said unto him, "I say not unto thee seven times: but seventy times seven times. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain King, which would take accounts of his servants.read more.
And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents: Whom, because he had nought to pay, his Master commanded him to be sold: and his wife, and his children, and all that he had; and payment to be made. The servant fell down and besought him saying, 'Sir, give me respite, and I will pay it every whit.' Then had the Lord pity on that servant, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. And the said servant went out and found one of his fellows, which owed him a hundred pence. And laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me that thou owest.' And his fellow fell down, and besought him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' And he would not, but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. When his other fellows saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their Lord all that had happened. Then his Lord called him, and said unto him, 'O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou praydest me: Was it not mete also, that thou shouldest have had compassion on thy fellow, even as I had pity on thee?' And his Lord was wroth, and delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all that was due to him. So like wise shall my heavenly father do unto you, except ye forgive with your hearts, each one to his brother their trespasses."
Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And though he sin against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee saying, It repenteth me, forgive him."
Then came Peter to him, and said, "Master, how oft shall I forgive my brother, if he sin against me? Shall I forgive him seven times?" Jesus said unto him, "I say not unto thee seven times: but seventy times seven times.
When Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, "Joseph might fortune to hate us and reward us again all the evil which we did unto him." They did therefore a commandment unto Joseph saying, "Thy father charged before his death saying, 'This wise say unto Joseph: forgive, I pray thee, the trespass of thy brethren and their sin, for they rewarded thee evil.' Now therefore we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of thy father's God." And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.read more.
And his brethren came and fell before him and said, "Behold we be thy servants." And Joseph said unto them, "Fear not, for am not I under God? Ye thought evil unto me: but God turned it unto good to bring to pass, as it is this day, even to save much people alive. Fear not therefore, for I will care for you and for your children." And he spake kindly unto them.
And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the kindred of the house of Saul named Shimei, the son of Gera; and he came out cursing. And thereto he cast stones at David and at all the servants of king David, all the people and all the men of war going; part on his righthand, and part on his left. And thus said this Shimei as he cursed, "Come forth, come forth thou blood shedder and thou unthrifty man!read more.
The LORD hath brought upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned, and he hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son. And thou art wrapped about with thine own mischief, because thou art a blood shedder." Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, "Why doth this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go and take off the head of him." And the king said, "What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? Let him curse: for the LORD hath bid him curse David. And who dare presume to say wherefore doth he so?" And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, "Behold, my son which came out of mine own bowels seeketh my life. How much more may this son of Benjamin do it? Suffer him therefore to curse, for the LORD hath bidden him.
