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Bible verses about forgiveness
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Forgiveness in the Bible covers at least two different things: being forgiven, and forgiving. Verses about one are often quoted as though they settled the other, and that can do real harm.
It is worth saying plainly what this page does not do. It does not tell you that you must remain in contact with someone who has hurt you, that reconciliation and forgiveness are the same thing, or that forgiving quickly is a measure of faith. Christian traditions differ substantially on these questions, and people working through abuse or serious harm are best served by talking to someone they trust rather than by a list of verses.
What follows is a set of passages, with references and context, offered for reflection rather than as instruction.
10 passages
Each shows its reference and translation, and links to the chapter it comes from.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
18Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He doesn’t retain his anger forever, because he delights in loving kindness. 19He will again have compassion on us. He will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins.
14“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
21Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.
1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. Cleanse me from my sin.
Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Set free, and you will be set free.
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible British Edition, which is in the public domain. “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org.