36 verses · KJV · every verse read aloud
The Bible says God forgives everyone who truly turns to Him. Sins are first washed away in baptism (Acts 2:38), and Christians who sin afterward confess and are forgiven (1 John 1:9). Because God has forgiven us in Christ, we are to forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32), not seven times but seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21-22).
The verses people look up most when someone has hurt them.
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Ephesians 4:32
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Colossians 3:13
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.
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. ”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Mark 11:25
14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 6:14-15
21Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 18:21-22
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 6:37
3Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4And 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.
Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 17:3-4
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Proverbs 17:9
The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Proverbs 19:11
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 1 Peter 3:9
He does not keep our sins before Him once they are forgiven.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 1 John 1:9
10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 103:10-12
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.
“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.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Isaiah 1:18
18Who 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. 19He 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.
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? 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.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Micah 7:18-19
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 86:5
I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Isaiah 43:25
To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;
To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, even though we have rebelled against Him
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Daniel 9:9
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Hebrews 8:12
Christ's blood was shed for the remission of sins.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Ephesians 1:7
13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Colossians 1:13-14
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 26:28
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 10:43
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 2:38
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 23:34
Confess, turn back, and receive mercy.
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.
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
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 32:5
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Proverbs 28:13
1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 51:1-2
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.
Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 3:19
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.
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.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 2 Chronicles 7:14
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Isaiah 55:7
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about James 5:16
Leave the wrong with God and make peace where you can.
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Ephesians 4:31
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
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.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Romans 12:19
23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 5:23-24
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 5:39
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 5:44
Exact words from our library of the early church writers. Each one opens at the place it was written.
“If we ask the Lord to forgive us, we should also forgive others.”
“With the Creator, there is a greater grace. He sets no limits on forgiveness.”
““not returning evil for evil, or reviling for reviling,” or blow for blow, or cursing for cursing”
The words behind the English. Each word page has a Listen button for how it is said.
aphiēmi Greek · Strong’s G863
to send away, let go; to forgive
Hear it & see its versesaphesis Greek · Strong’s G859
release, pardon; KJV: forgiveness, remission
Hear it & see its versescharizomai Greek · Strong’s G5483
to give freely as a favor; to forgive
Hear it & see its versessalach Hebrew · Strong’s H5545
to forgive, to pardon
Hear it & see its versesPeter asked if forgiving seven times was enough. Jesus answered seventy times seven, meaning we should stop counting. He then told the parable of the servant who was forgiven a huge debt but would not forgive a small one, to show that people God has forgiven must forgive.
Listen: Matthew 18:21-22
Jesus said plainly that if we forgive others, our Father will forgive us, but if we will not forgive, neither will He forgive our trespasses. That is why He told us to forgive whenever we stand praying.
Listen: Matthew 6:14-15 · Mark 11:25
Romans 12:19 tells believers not to take revenge but to leave room for God's justice, because the Lord says vengeance belongs to Him and He will repay. The next verses say to feed a hungry enemy and overcome evil with good.
Listen: Romans 12:19 · Romans 12:20-21
Forgiving means letting go of the debt and of any wish for revenge. It does not mean pretending a wrong was right: Jesus said to rebuke a brother who sins and to forgive him when he repents. God Himself promises to remember our forgiven sins no more.
Listen: Luke 17:3-4 · Hebrews 8:12
Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). The first Christians called baptism the new birth: those who repented "are brought by us to water and are regenerated" (Justin Martyr). 1 John 1:9 and James 5:16 are for Christians who sin after baptism, and the early church confessed sins in the church.
Listen: Acts 2:38 · Acts 22:16
Tell God honestly what you have done and turn away from it. David confessed his sin and God forgave him, and John promises that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us. If you have never been baptized, repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38).
Listen: Psalms 32:5 · 1 John 1:9
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