Bible Verses About Forgiveness

28 verses in the King James Version (KJV) and the Berean Standard Bible (BSB)

Forgiveness runs in two directions in the Bible: the forgiveness we receive from God and the forgiveness we're asked to extend to others. Neither is always easy. Some of us struggle to believe we can be forgiven; others carry hurts that feel impossible to release. These verses speak to both. They describe a mercy that removes guilt completely and a freedom that comes from letting go. Take your time with them, especially if a particular name comes to mind.

1 John 1:9

KJV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
BSB

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Ephesians 4:32

KJV

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
BSB

Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
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.
Matthew 6:14

KJV

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
BSB

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matthew 6:15

KJV

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
BSB

But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.
Matthew 18:21

KJV

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
BSB

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Matthew 18:22

KJV

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
BSB

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!
Mark 11:25

KJV

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
BSB

And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.”
Luke 6:37

KJV

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
BSB

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Luke 23:34

KJV

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
BSB

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.
Acts 3:19

KJV

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
BSB

Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,
Psalm 103:12

KJV

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
BSB

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 32:1

KJV

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
BSB

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Psalm 32:5

KJV

I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
BSB

Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
Psalm 86:5

KJV

For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
BSB

For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You.
Psalm 51:10

KJV

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
BSB

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Isaiah 1:18

KJV

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
BSB

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.
Isaiah 43:25

KJV

I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
BSB

I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more.
Micah 7:18

KJV

Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
BSB

Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance— who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion?
Micah 7:19

KJV

He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
BSB

He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea.
Daniel 9:9

KJV

To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;
BSB

To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, even though we have rebelled against Him
Ephesians 1:7

KJV

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
BSB

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
Hebrews 8:12

KJV

For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
BSB

For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”
Proverbs 17:9

KJV

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
BSB

Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.
Luke 17:3

KJV

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
BSB

Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
Luke 17:4

KJV

And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
BSB

Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
Romans 12:19

KJV

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
BSB

Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
2 Chronicles 7:14

KJV

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
BSB

and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Related topics