33 verses · KJV · every verse read aloud
The Bible calls us to be patient in trouble and to keep praying (Romans 12:12), to wait on the Lord, who renews our strength (Isaiah 40:31), and to bear with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2). We learn patience from God Himself, who is patient with us and wants everyone to repent (2 Peter 3:9).
Trouble is not wasted: patience grows in it.
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Romans 12:12
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Galatians 6:9
2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about James 1:2-4
3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Romans 5:3-4
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Romans 8:25
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Hebrews 10:36
10Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
Brothers, as an example of patience in affliction, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about James 5:10-11
Waiting on God is trust, not giving up.
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Isaiah 40:31
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 27:14
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 37:7
25The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Lamentations 3:25-26
I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 40:1
7Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil — how patient he is for the fall and spring rains. You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about James 5:7-8
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Habakkuk 2:3
And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He rises to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. Blessed are all who wait for Him.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Isaiah 30:18
Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.
But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Micah 7:7
5I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. 6My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning— more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 130:5-6
Bearing with people is part of loving them.
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Ephesians 4:2
12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 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 3:12-13
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
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 1 Thessalonians 5:14
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
Patience guards the tongue and the temper.
19Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about James 1:19-20
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Proverbs 14:29
A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Proverbs 15:18
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Proverbs 16:32
8Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 9Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
The end of a matter is better than the beginning, and a patient spirit is better than a proud one. Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of a fool.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Ecclesiastes 7:8-9
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
Our patience is learned from His.
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 2 Peter 3:9
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 103:8
And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness,
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Exodus 34:6
Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 1 Timothy 1:16
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you harmony with one another in Christ Jesus,
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Romans 15:5
Easy to memorize, to write in a card, or to send to a friend.
“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”
Romans 12:12 KJV · 10 words
Listen“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.”
Psalms 40:1 KJV · 15 words
Listen“With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;”
Ephesians 4:2 KJV · 12 words
Listen“A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.”
Proverbs 15:18 KJV · 15 words
Listen“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.”
Psalms 103:8 KJV · 13 words
ListenExact words from our library of the early church writers. Each one opens at the place it was written.
“Bear with all, just as the Lord does with you. Support everyone in love, as you already do.”
“God is more than sufficient as the keeper of patience. If you place a wrong in His care, He is an Avenger. If it is a loss, He is a Restorer. If it is pain, He is a Healer. If it is death, He is a Reviver.”
The words behind the English. Each word page has a Listen button for how it is said.
makrothumia Greek · Strong’s G3115
longsuffering, patience, forbearance
Hear it & see its verseshupomonē Greek · Strong’s G5281
steady, hopeful endurance; KJV: patience
Hear it & see its versesmakrothumeō Greek · Strong’s G3114
to be patient, to suffer long
Hear it & see its versesʾārēk Hebrew · Strong’s H750
long; in 'slow to anger', literally long of anger
Hear it & see its versesYes. Galatians 5:22-23 lists it among the fruit of the Spirit. The King James Version calls it longsuffering, which means being slow to anger and bearing with people for a long time.
Listen: Galatians 5:22-23
The KJV usually says patience for the Greek hupomone, steady endurance under trouble (James 1:3-4). It says longsuffering for makrothumia, bearing with people without striking back (Ephesians 4:2). Both are needed: one for hard times, the other for hard people.
Listen: James 1:3-4 · Ephesians 4:2
God's answers come at the right time, even when they seem slow: though it tarry, wait for it. Those who wait on the Lord are not passive; they gain new strength and keep going.
Listen: Habakkuk 2:3 · Isaiah 40:31
Paul says to rejoice in hope, be patient in trouble and keep praying. James says trials test our faith and produce patience, and Paul adds that patience builds character and hope.
Listen: Romans 12:12 · James 1:2-4 · Romans 5:3-4
Bear with one another in love, forgive each other as Christ forgave you, and be patient toward everyone. Being slow to anger is called better than being mighty.
Listen: Ephesians 4:2 · Colossians 3:13 · Proverbs 16:32
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