33 verses · KJV · every verse read aloud
The Bible tells us to be kind to one another, tenderhearted and forgiving, as God in Christ forgave us (Ephesians 4:32). Kindness is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and a mark of real love (1 Corinthians 13:4). We are kind because God was kind to us first, even when we were ungrateful (Luke 6:35, Titus 3:4-5).
The verses most people look up first.
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
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Colossians 3:12
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Proverbs 11:17
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 1 Corinthians 13:4
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Galatians 5:22-23
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Micah 6:8
5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 2 Peter 1:5-7
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Proverbs 21:21
Kindness starts with how we speak.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Proverbs 31:26
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Ephesians 4:29
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Proverbs 16:24
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Proverbs 15:1
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Colossians 4:6
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Proverbs 12:25
Kindness shows itself in what we do.
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 7:12
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Proverbs 19:17
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Galatians 6:10
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Hebrews 13:2
33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
But a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 10:33-34
35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 25:35-36
17But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 1 John 3:17-18
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 20:35
Jesus asks us to be kind the way God is kind.
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 6:35
20Therefore 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. 21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Romans 12:20-21
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
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Proverbs 25:21
The KJV often calls it lovingkindness or mercy.
4But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Titus 3:4-5
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Romans 2:4
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Ephesians 2:7
For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
Though the mountains may be removed and the hills may be shaken, My loving devotion will not depart from you, and My covenant of peace will not be broken,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Isaiah 54:10
22It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Lamentations 3:22-23
For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.
For great is His loving devotion toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Hallelujah!
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 117:2
And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Joel 2:13
Easy to memorize, to write in a card, or to send to a friend.
“He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.”
Proverbs 21:21 KJV · 12 words
Listen“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”
Proverbs 31:26 KJV · 15 words
Listen“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
Proverbs 16:24 KJV · 15 words
Listen“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
Proverbs 15:1 KJV · 12 words
Listen“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
Hebrews 13:2 KJV · 13 words
ListenExact words from our library of the early church writers. Each one opens at the place it was written.
“He who has gives to him who has not, without boasting. And when they see a stranger, they take him into their homes and rejoice over him as a true brother.”
“Love those you used to hate. Show kindness to those you envied and spoke against unfairly.”
The words behind the English. Each word page has a Listen button for how it is said.
chrēstotēs Greek · Strong’s G5544
goodness, kindness; KJV: gentleness, goodness, kindness
Hear it & see its verseschrēstos Greek · Strong’s G5543
kind, good, useful
Hear it & see its verseschesed Hebrew · Strong’s H2617
kindness, loving-kindness, mercy
Hear it & see its versesEphesians 4:32 is the verse most people choose: be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you. It gives both the command and the reason.
Listen: Ephesians 4:32
Yes. Galatians 5:22-23 lists it among the fruit of the Spirit. The King James Version translates that Greek word as gentleness, while many newer Bibles say kindness. It is the same quality: goodness that is gentle and useful to others.
Listen: Galatians 5:22-23
Do to others what you would want them to do to you, do good to everyone, and do not forget to welcome strangers. Jesus said that kindness shown to the hungry, the sick and the stranger is kindness shown to Him.
Listen: Matthew 7:12 · Galatians 6:10 · Matthew 25:35-36
In the Old Testament, lovingkindness usually translates the Hebrew word chesed: faithful, loyal love that keeps its promises. The KJV also renders it as mercy or kindness. Micah 6:8 uses it when it says to love mercy.
Listen: Psalms 117:2 · Micah 6:8
Short verses work best: be ye kind one to another (Ephesians 4:32), and the Golden Rule, do to others what you would want them to do to you (Matthew 7:12).
Listen: Ephesians 4:32 · Matthew 7:12
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