35 verses · KJV · every verse read aloud
Repentance is a real turning: a change of mind and heart that turns a person from sin to God and shows in a changed life. John the Baptist and Jesus began by saying "Repent" (Matthew 3:2; Mark 1:15), and the apostles joined repentance to faith, baptism and forgiveness (Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19).
John the Baptist, Jesus and the apostles all began with this word.
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 3:2
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
“The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Mark 1:15
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 4:17
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 5:32
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 13:3
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 17:30
And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
So they set out and preached that the people should repent.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Mark 6:12
Turning to God goes together with faith and forgiveness of sins.
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
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
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 24:47
Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
testifying to Jews and Greeks alike about repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 20:21
But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to everyone in the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I declared that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of their repentance.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 26:20
Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 8:22
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
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
God is patient and calls every person to turn back to Him.
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
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
Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, in order to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 5:31
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
When they heard this, they had no further objections, and they glorified God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 11:18
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
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Ezekiel 18:30
Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Joel 2:12
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Those I love I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Revelation 3:19
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 2 Corinthians 7:10
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 3:8
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 51:17
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 51:10
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God,
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Hebrews 6:1
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Revelation 2:5
David, the prodigal son, the publican and Nineveh.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
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.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 51:1
And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” “The LORD has taken away your sin,” Nathan replied. “You will not die.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 2 Samuel 12:13
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 15:18
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 18:13
And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
When God saw their actions— that they had turned from their evil ways— He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Jonah 3:10
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 15:7
Easy to memorize, to write in a card, or to send to a friend.
“And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 3:2 KJV · 12 words
Listen“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Luke 5:32 KJV · 11 words
Listen“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
Luke 13:3 KJV · 13 words
Listen“And they went out, and preached that men should repent.”
Mark 6:12 KJV · 10 words
Listen“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”
Revelation 3:19 KJV · 14 words
Listen“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:”
Matthew 3:8 KJV · 7 words
Listen“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
Psalms 51:10 KJV · 15 words
ListenExact words from our library of the early church writers. Each one opens at the place it was written.
“All who are convinced and believe that what we teach and say is true, and commit to living accordingly, are instructed to pray and ask God for the remission of their past sins with fasting, while we pray and fast with them. Then, they are brought by us to water and are regenerated in the same way we were.”
The words behind the English. Each word page has a Listen button for how it is said.
metanoia Greek · Strong’s G3341
repentance; sorrow for guilt that leads to a changed life
Hear it & see its versesmetanoeo Greek · Strong’s G3340
to repent; to think differently, reconsider
Hear it & see its versesTrue repentance is more than feeling sorry. Paul says godly sorrow "worketh repentance to salvation" (2 Corinthians 7:10), and John the Baptist asked for "fruits meet for repentance" (Matthew 3:8). It is a turn from sin to God that shows in how we live (Acts 26:20).
Listen: 2 Corinthians 7:10 · Matthew 3:8
Tell God the truth about your sin, as David did in Psalm 51, with fasting, weeping and prayer (Joel 2:12). Turn from it and return to the Lord, who will have mercy (Isaiah 55:7). Be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Then walk a new way, bearing good fruit (Matthew 3:8).
Listen: Joel 2:12 · Isaiah 55:7 · Acts 2:38
Yes. Jesus said, "except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3), and Peter preached repentance so that sins may be blotted out (Acts 3:19). Repentance and faith go together (Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21).
Listen: Luke 13:3 · Acts 20:21
The noun is metanoia (Strong's G3341), and the verb is metanoeo (G3340), "to think differently" or reconsider. In Scripture this change of mind turns the whole person back to God and is proven by deeds (Acts 26:20).
Listen: Acts 26:20
When the KJV says God "repented," as with Nineveh (Jonah 3:10), it means God relented from a judgment when people turned from evil. It does not mean God sinned or changed His nature: He "is not a man, that he should repent" (1 Samuel 15:29).
Listen: Jonah 3:10 · 1 Samuel 15:29
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