Repentance is a fundamental theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the need for turning away from sin and returning to God with a contrite heart. The verses about repentance in the Bible convey the importance of acknowledging our wrongdoings, seeking forgiveness, and striving for a renewed relationship with the Creator.
These scriptures reveal that repentance is not just a one-time event but a continual process of transformation and spiritual growth. They illustrate how God’s mercy and grace are available to those who sincerely repent, offering them a path to redemption and renewal.
From the Old Testament prophets to the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, the message of repentance is clear: it is the first step toward reconciliation with God.
The following collection of verses about repentance in the Bible reflects the diversity of this theme across various books, providing a comprehensive understanding of its significance in the spiritual journey of every believer.
List of Bible Verses About Repentance
Acts 3:19
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
Joel 2:13
“Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.”
Luke 5:32
“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Hosea 14:1
“Return, Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall!”
Matthew 4:17
“From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'”
Ezekiel 18:30
“Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.”
2 Corinthians 7:10
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
Jeremiah 3:22
“Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding. ‘Yes, we will come to you, for you are the Lord our God.'”
Mark 1:15
“The time has come,” he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!'”
Isaiah 55:7
“Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”
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Romans 2:4
“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”
Amos 5:14
“Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.”
Revelation 3:19
“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.”
Zechariah 1:3
“Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Micah 7:18
“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.”
Acts 2:38
“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.'”
Lamentations 3:40
“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.”
Luke 24:47
“And repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
Proverbs 28:13
“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
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James 4:8
“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
Jonah 3:10
“When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.”
Hebrews 6:1
“Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God.”
Nehemiah 1:9
“But if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.”
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Psalm 51:17
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.”
Matthew 3:8
“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”
Daniel 9:19
“Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'”
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Acts 17:30
“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.”
Hosea 6:1
“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.”
Revelation 2:5
“Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”
Ezekiel 18:32
“For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!”
Mark 6:12
“They went out and preached that people should repent.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Luke 15:7
“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
Jeremiah 4:1
“If you, Israel, will return, then return to me,” declares the Lord. ‘If you put your detestable idols out of my sight and no longer go astray.'”
Matthew 9:13
“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
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Zephaniah 2:3
“Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.”
1 Timothy 1:15
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.”
Acts 11:18
“When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.'”
Isaiah 44:22
“I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”
Romans 10:9
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Revelation 2:16
“Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”
2 Chronicles 30:9
“The Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.”
Luke 15:10
“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
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Joel 2:12
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
Matthew 12:41
“The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.”
James 5:16
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Proverbs 24:16
“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.”
2 Kings 22:19
“Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people—that they would become a curse and be laid waste—and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord.”
Romans 3:23
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Isaiah 55:6
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.”
Jeremiah 31:19
“After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.”
Luke 13:3
“I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
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Hebrews 12:17
“Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.”
Titus 2:14
“Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”
Proverbs 1:23
“Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.”
Genesis 4:7
“If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
Conclusion
Repentance is a recurring theme in the scriptures, and the verses about repentance in the Bible offer profound insights into the process of turning back to God. Each verse highlights the importance of acknowledging our sins, seeking forgiveness, and embracing a transformed life. The diversity of these verses across different books of the Bible underscores that repentance is not confined to a single context but is a universal principle applicable to all believers. By reflecting on these verses about repentance in the Bible, we gain a deeper understanding of God’s expectations and His boundless grace. These scriptures remind us that no matter where we are in our spiritual journey, the opportunity to repent and experience God’s mercy is always available. Through sincere repentance, we can find restoration and renewal in our relationship with the Lord.