Bible Verses by Topic
Bible Verses About Forgiveness
A key Bible verse about forgiveness is Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as our Father forgave you through Christ.” Scripture starts with the forgiveness our Father has already given and asks us to pass it on. Below are the verses on being forgiven, on forgiving others, on forgiving again and on a clean heart, each word for word in Father’s Heart Bible™ and linked into the chapter so you can read Psalm 103 free and hear it.
Forgiven by our Father
Forgiveness begins with what our Father has already done: he removes sin and does not hold it over his children.
Psalm 103:12
as far as the east is from the west, so far has our Father removed our sins from us.
Read & listen to Psalm 1031 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, our Father is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all wrongdoing.
Read & listen to 1 John 1Ephesians 1:7
In him, through his blood, we have redemption—forgiveness of our sins—by the riches of our Father's grace,
Read & listen to Ephesians 1Micah 7:18–19
Who is like our Father, who pardons sin and passes over the rebellion of the remnant of his inheritance? He does not hold on to his anger forever, because his heart delights in covenant love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our wrongdoing underfoot. You will hurl all our sins into the depths of the sea.
Read & listen to Micah 7Forgiving others as we were forgiven
Jesus ties the forgiveness we give to the forgiveness we have received.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as our Father forgave you through Christ.
Read & listen to Ephesians 4Colossians 3:13
Put up with one another, forgiving whatever complaints you have against each other. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Read & listen to Colossians 3Matthew 6:14–15
For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, neither will your Father forgive your sins.
Read & listen to Matthew 6Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Read & listen to Luke 6Forgiving again and again
Forgiveness is not a single act. These verses speak to repeated hurts and to the freedom of letting go.
Matthew 18:21–22
Then Peter came to Jesus: "Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
Read & listen to Matthew 18Luke 17:3–4
"Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times a day, and seven times returns saying, 'I repent,' forgive him."
Read & listen to Luke 17Mark 11:25
When you stand praying, forgive whatever you hold against anyone, so your Father in heaven may also forgive you your sins.
Read & listen to Mark 11Proverbs 19:11
The good sense of a person makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
Read & listen to Proverbs 19A clean heart and a fresh start
Confession is not groveling. It is coming back to a Father who welcomes the returning child.
Psalm 32:1–2
How blessed is the one whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is covered over! How blessed is the person against whom our Father counts no guilt, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!
Read & listen to Psalm 32Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, my Father, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Read & listen to Psalm 51Psalm 86:5
For you, my Sovereign Father, are good and forgiving, abounding in covenant love to all who call on you.
Read & listen to Psalm 86Isaiah 43:25
I, I am he who blots out your rebellions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.
Read & listen to Isaiah 43Our Father removes our sins: Psalm 103
Psalm 103 describes how far our Father removes our sins. Read or hear the opening verses below, then read the whole psalm.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Bible verse about forgiveness?
Ephesians 4:32 is a clear one: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as our Father forgave you through Christ.” The verses on being forgiven and on forgiving again are gathered below.
What does the Bible say about forgiving someone who hurt you?
In Father’s Heart Bible™ Colossians 3:13 says, “Put up with one another, forgiving whatever complaints you have against each other. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” The measure is the forgiveness we have received.
How many times should I forgive?
When Peter asked, Jesus answered in Matthew 18:21–22, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” The point is that forgiveness is not counted out.
Does our Father forgive every sin?
1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, our Father is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all wrongdoing.” Forgiveness is promised to the one who comes to him honestly.
How far does our Father remove our sins?
Psalm 103:12 says, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has our Father removed our sins from us.” It is a picture of complete distance, not partial.
Keep going: read Colossians 3 or Psalm 51, browse more Bible verses by topic, see the verses on love, the verses on peace or the Bible for divorce. On the conviction that leads us back to our Father, see what conviction means in the Bible.
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