Bible Verses About Family

Families are where we learn the most about love, and often where we're tested the most too. The Bible speaks to every part of family life: honoring parents, raising children with care, living in unity, and looking after one another. These verses aren't a picture of a perfect household. They are wise, warm guidance for real ones. Read them together around the table, or keep one in mind as you head into a family gathering.

1. Joshua 24:15

   KJV

   And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

   BSB

   But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”

2. Exodus 20:12

   KJV

   Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

   BSB

   Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

3. Ephesians 6:1

   KJV

   Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

   BSB

   Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

4. Ephesians 6:2

   KJV

   Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

   BSB

   “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise),

5. Ephesians 6:4

   KJV

   And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

   BSB

   Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

6. Colossians 3:20

   KJV

   Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

   BSB

   Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

7. Colossians 3:21

   KJV

   Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

   BSB

   Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged.

8. Proverbs 22:6

   KJV

   Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

   BSB

   Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

9. Psalm 127:3

   KJV

   Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

   BSB

   Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.

10. Psalm 133:1

    KJV

    Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

    BSB

    Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!

11. 1 Timothy 5:8

    KJV

    But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

    BSB

    If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

12. Deuteronomy 6:6

    KJV

    And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

    BSB

    These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts.

13. Deuteronomy 6:7

    KJV

    And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

    BSB

    And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

14. Proverbs 17:6

    KJV

    Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

    BSB

    Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of a son is his father.

15. Acts 16:31

    KJV

    And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

    BSB

    They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”

16. Psalm 103:17

    KJV

    But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;

    BSB

    But from everlasting to everlasting the loving devotion of the LORD extends to those who fear Him, and His righteousness to their children’s children—

17. Psalm 68:6

    KJV

    God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

    BSB

    God settles the lonely in families; He leads the prisoners out to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land.

18. Genesis 2:24

    KJV

    Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

    BSB

    For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

19. Colossians 3:13

    KJV

    Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

    BSB

    Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

20. Colossians 3:14

    KJV

    And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

    BSB

    And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.

21. Proverbs 11:29

    KJV

    He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

    BSB

    He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

22. Proverbs 31:27

    KJV

    She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

    BSB

    She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

23. Proverbs 31:28

    KJV

    Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

    BSB

    Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:

24. Isaiah 54:13

    KJV

    And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

    BSB

    Then all your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their prosperity.

25. 1 John 3:1

    KJV

    Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

    BSB

    Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.

26. Ephesians 3:14

    KJV

    For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

    BSB

    ... for this reason I bow my knees before the Father,

27. Ephesians 3:15

    KJV

    Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

    BSB

    from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

28. Romans 12:10

    KJV

    Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

    BSB

    Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.