Are you looking for bible verses on forgiveness and reconciliation? Have you been hurt or betrayed by a loved one, and you find it hard to forgive? Do you wonder if God’s forgiveness for you is real? Use these 31 Bible verses on forgiveness to learn Biblical teaching on this important topic.

- Why You Should Use this Reading Plan
- What is Forgiveness?
- What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness?
- What is NOT Included in Forgiveness?
- The Process of Forgiveness
- 30 Bible Verses on Forgiveness and Reconciliation
- 1. Isaiah 1:18 – Transformation from sin to purity.
- 2. Isaiah 61:10 – Joy and righteousness through salvation.
- 3. Psalm 103:12 – God's immeasurable forgiveness.
- 4. Psalm 32:5 – Confession and forgiveness of sins.
- 5. Isaiah 44:22 – Redemption and forgiveness from God.
- 6. Daniel 9:9-10 – Mercy and forgiveness despite rebellion.
- 7. Ephesians 1:7 – Redemption and forgiveness through Christ's sacrifice.
- 8. Acts 13:38 – Proclamation of forgiveness through Christ.
- 9. 1 John 1:7 – Cleansing from sin through fellowship and Christ's blood.
- 10. 1 John 1:8-9 – Confession of sins leads to forgiveness and cleansing.
- 11. Psalm 103:3-4 – God's forgiveness, healing, redemption, and love.
- 12. Joel 2:13 – Return to the Lord, for His mercy and love.
- 13. Proverbs 28:13 – Prosperity through confession and forsaking of sins.
- 14. Luke 23:34 – Jesus' forgiveness for the unknowing.
- 15. 2 Chronicles 7:14 – Humility, prayer, and repentance lead to forgiveness and healing.
- 16. Isaiah 43:25 – God's forgetfulness of our sins.
- 17. James 5:16 – Healing through confession and prayer.
- 18. Micah 7:19 – God's compassion and forgiveness.
- 19. Numbers 14:18 – God's slow anger, abundant love, and forgiveness.
- 20. Romans 8:1 – No condemnation in Christ Jesus.
- 21. Romans 8:2 – Freedom from sin and death through the Spirit.
- 22. Mark 3:28-29 – Unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit.
- 23. Hebrews 10:17 – God's forgetfulness of sins and lawless deeds.
- 24. Ephesians 4:32 – Call to kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness.
- 25. Matthew 18:21-22 – The importance of forgiving repeatedly.
- 26. Matthew 6:14-15 – Forgiveness as a prerequisite for being forgiven.
- 27. Mark 11:25 – Forgiveness during prayer.
- 28. Luke 6:37-38 – The law of reciprocity in judgment, condemnation, forgiveness, and giving.
- 29. Proverbs 19:11 – Glory in overlooking an offense.
- 30. James 2:13 – The triumph of mercy over judgment.
- What Does the Bible Say About Forgiving Yourself?
- A Forgiveness Prayer
- What is the Unforgivable Sin in the Bible?
- Free Printable 30 Day Forgiveness Bible Reading Plan
Why You Should Use this Reading Plan
- Forgiveness brings freedom. Let go of resentment and embrace the peace God has for you.
- God’s Word is your guide. Discover what the Bible really says about forgiving others – and yourself.
- Healing starts with Scripture. Use this plan to release past hurts and move forward with grace.
- You don’t have to do this alone. Let God’s strength empower you to forgive, even when it feels impossible.
What is Forgiveness?
On a basic level, forgiveness is letting go of the hurt, anger, and resentment you have experienced because of the actions of another person.
Yet forgiveness is also much more complex.
It might be easy to forgive a minor betrayal like:
- When someone cuts you off in line.
- A friend says something thoughtless that hurts your feelings.
- A person ignores your request for help.
But what about more profound betrayals such as:
- A spouse’s unfaithfulness.
- Stealing from you.
- Hurting someone you love.
These are much harder to forgive.
With these deep hurts, forgiveness might seem impossible.
A situation where I’ve struggled to forgive is around our work as foster parents.
Forgiving someone who has committed child abuse is tough, and at times, it feels impossible or even somehow wrong to forgive, as if forgiving excuses for horrendous behavior.
As I parent adopted children who live every day with the long-term effects of abuse early in life, at times, I lack the willingness to forgive. I feel like I’ve forgiven the birth parents of our adopted children, yet when one of my children is struggling, I realize I need to forgive them all over again.
Marriage is another relationship where forgiveness is profoundly needed yet often the hardest. Your spouse is the person who is closer to you than anyone in the world and so has the power to hurt you the most deeply.
Ruth Graham said, “A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.” There is great wisdom in recognizing the need for continual forgiveness in every marriage relationship.
Research is now showing that forgiveness (or the lack of it) impacts your health in a significant way. Those who can forgive experience improved blood pressure, better sleep, and even less risk of heart attack. This shows how God designed us with a genuine mind-body connection.
You know forgiveness is important – but it’s certainly not easy.
How can you begin to forgive someone who has wronged you? Even more, how can you fully accept God’s forgiveness for you?
What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness?
As a Christian, you must rely on God’s power above your own to forgive people who have wronged you. The power to forgive comes from the Holy Spirit in your heart.
You might also wonder how God can forgive you when you make the same mistakes many times over. How do you know God has forgiven you?
One crucial part of the Biblical teaching about forgiveness is that God forgives you totally and completely of your sins because of Jesus’ death on the cross. (John 3:16)
In turn, you are called to forgive others as God forgave you, letting go of anger and the desire for vengeance. (Matthew 6:14-15)
When you hurt someone else, your responsibility is to ask for forgiveness for the pain you have caused the other person. (Matthew 18:15)
Jesus is our most powerful example of how to forgive others.
- Jesus stopped a woman from being stoned to death and said he did not condemn her (John 8:11).
- Jesus calls us to forgive a person who sins against us, not just one time but 70 x 7 (seventy times seven), or a limitless amount of times. (Matthew 18:22)
- Perhaps most powerful of all, Jesus forgave those who crucified him while he was still hanging on the cross, dying. (Luke 23:24)
The Bible has much to teach you about forgiveness.
What is NOT Included in Forgiveness?
You might have conflicted thoughts when you consider forgiving someone who has hurt you, so let’s consider what forgiveness is not.
- Forgiveness is not the same as justice. Justice involves the righting of wrong or accountability is taken for sinful behavior. The person who hurt you may or may not see justice done, but you can choose to forgive regardless.
- Forgiveness does not get the other person off the hook. Nowhere does the Bible say that forgiveness means the person who wronged you gets off scot-free.
- Forgiveness is not the same as trust. Trust is earned, while forgiveness is a conscious choice. You may forgive someone but not yet trust them, or perhaps never again.
- Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness. On the contrary, it takes tremendous strength to offer forgiveness.
- Forgiveness may involve a reconciliation of the relationship, but not always. Your goal should always be to repair and restore the relationship, but sometimes this is impossible. (See more here about the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation.)
- Forgiveness does not mean forgive and forget. The phrase “forgive and forget” is not in the Bible. Psalm 103:12 says that God forgets our sins. This means that He does not hold our sins against us, not that God doesn’t remember our sins. One of the attributes of God is that He is all-knowing. We, as humans, can forgive, but we may not be able to forget.
- Forgiveness does not mean enduring abuse. God never desires for his children to be hurt or abused, and forgiveness does not require continuing in any abusive situation.
The Process of Forgiveness
When someone has wronged you, letting go of resentment, bitterness, and hostility is a process. Depending on the hurt, forgiveness often requires much more than simply saying the words, “I forgive you.”
4 Steps to Forgive Someone Who Hurt You
The forgiveness process involves these steps:
- Understand & accept your negative feelings about the event or person.
- Deciding to forgive.
- Work to understand the other person.
- Developing empathy and compassion.
If you are holding on to long-time hurt, resentment, or lack of forgiveness, look at where you are in the forgiveness process. What step do you need to take next?
Consider meeting with a pastor, therapist, or trusted Christian mentor if you struggle to forgive someone.
Meditate on the Bible verses on forgiveness and reconciliation listed below. Pray for God’s help to forgive.
30 Bible Verses on Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Here are some healing Bible verses to help you find peace and forgiveness.
1. Isaiah 1:18 – Transformation from sin to purity.
“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.”
Isaiah 1:18
2. Isaiah 61:10 – Joy and righteousness through salvation.
“I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”
Isaiah 61:10
3. Psalm 103:12 – God’s immeasurable forgiveness.
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
Psalm 103:12
4. Psalm 32:5 – Confession and forgiveness of sins.
“I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.”
Psalm 32:5
5. Isaiah 44:22 – Redemption and forgiveness from God.
“I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.”
Isaiah 44:22
6. Daniel 9:9-10 – Mercy and forgiveness despite rebellion.
“To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.”
Daniel 9:9-10
7. Ephesians 1:7 – Redemption and forgiveness through Christ’s sacrifice.
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”
Ephesians 1:7
8. Acts 13:38 – Proclamation of forgiveness through Christ.
“Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.”
Acts 13:38
9. 1 John 1:7 – Cleansing from sin through fellowship and Christ’s blood.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”
1 John 1:7
10. 1 John 1:8-9 – Confession of sins leads to forgiveness and cleansing.
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:8-9
11. Psalm 103:3-4 – God’s forgiveness, healing, redemption, and love.
“Who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.”
Psalm 103:3-4
12. Joel 2:13 – Return to the Lord, for His mercy and love.
“Rend your hearts and not your garments.”
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;
and he relents over disaster.”
Joel 2:13
13. Proverbs 28:13 – Prosperity through confession and forsaking of sins.
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”
Proverbs 28:13
14. Luke 23:34 – Jesus’ forgiveness for the unknowing.
“And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ And they cast lots to divide his garments.”
Luke 23:34
15. 2 Chronicles 7:14 – Humility, prayer, and repentance lead to forgiveness and healing.
“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 and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
16. Isaiah 43:25 – God’s forgetfulness of our sins.
“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”
Isaiah 43:25
17. James 5:16 – Healing through confession and prayer.
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
James 5:16
18. Micah 7:19 – God’s compassion and forgiveness.
“He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”
Micah 7:19
19. Numbers 14:18 – God’s slow anger, abundant love, and forgiveness.
“The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation.”
Numbers 14:18
20. Romans 8:1 – No condemnation in Christ Jesus.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:1
21. Romans 8:2 – Freedom from sin and death through the Spirit.
“For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”
Romans 8:2
22. Mark 3:28-29 – Unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit.
“Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”
Mark 3:28-29
23. Hebrews 10:17 – God’s forgetfulness of sins and lawless deeds.
“Then he adds, ‘I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”
Hebrews 10:17
24. Ephesians 4:32 – Call to kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness.
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32
25. Matthew 18:21-22 – The importance of forgiving repeatedly.
“Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Matthew 18:21-22
26. Matthew 6:14-15 – Forgiveness as a prerequisite for being forgiven.
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:14-15
27. Mark 11:25 – Forgiveness during prayer.
“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
Mark 11:25
28. Luke 6:37-38 – The law of reciprocity in judgment, condemnation, forgiveness, and giving.
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Luke 6:37-38
29. Proverbs 19:11 – Glory in overlooking an offense.
“Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
Proverbs 19:11
30. James 2:13 – The triumph of mercy over judgment.
“For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
James 2:13
What Does the Bible Say About Forgiving Yourself?
Interestingly, nowhere in the Bible says you are to forgive yourself. Yet the Bible has a great deal to say about how God forgives you and His incredible love for you.
Jeremiah 31:34 tells us that God remembers your sin no more, and Psalm 103:12 says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”
Holding on to unnecessary guilt, shame, and ongoing remorse is not God’s will for your life.
Guilt serves an essential purpose because it brings us to repentance. But continuing to hold on to guilt does no good after you have repented and been forgiven. This creates shame, pushing you further away from God and the work He wants to do in your life.
A Forgiveness Prayer
Use this forgiveness prayer to ask God’s forgiveness for your sins and also to pray for the strength to forgive those who have hurt you.
Lord,
I ask for your forgiveness for the sins I have committed, both known and unknown. I know I am not worthy, yet you forgive me because of the work of your son Jesus on the cross, who paid the price for me.
I thank you for this incredible gift.
Father, in the same way, that you have forgiven me, so I am called to forgive others. It’s tough to let go of the pain and resentment I feel from being wrong, but I ask that the Holy Spirit work in my heart. Not my will, but yours be done.
I let go of any need for retribution, revenge, gossip or slander against the person who has done wrong to me.
I choose to forgive in Jesus’ name.
With the peace that comes from Christ ruling in my heart, help me live a life of peace. Please give me the strength to live in harmony with all the people in my life.
In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen.
What is the Unforgivable Sin in the Bible?
In Mark 3:28-29, Jesus says, “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.”
The only unpardonable sin is speaking against the Holy Spirit or rejection of God. In other words, the only sin God does not forgive us is continued deliberate unbelief. This separates us from God and His work in our lives.
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