verses about repentance

Call to 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.”
• Matthew 4:17 – “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'”
• Luke 5:32 – “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
• 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.”

God’s Mercy and Forgiveness:

• Psalm 86:15 – “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”
• 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.”
• Psalm 86:5 (NASB) – “For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.”
• 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.”

Repentance Leading to Life:

• Acts 2:38 – “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.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
• 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.”
• 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.”

Repentance Brings Joy:

• 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.”
• Psalm 51:10 – “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
• Psalm 51:12 – “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
• Luke 18:13 – “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'”

Repentance and God’s Compassion:

• Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
• Psalm 51:17 – “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
• 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.”
• 1 John 2:2 – “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Repentance and Salvation:

• Mark 1:15 – “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
• Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
• Proverbs 28:13 – “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
• John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Repentance and Humility:

• James 4:10 – “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
• James 4:6 – “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'”
• 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.”
• Judges 3:9 – “But when they cried out to the Lord, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them.”

Repentance and Turning from Sin:

• Proverbs 1:23 – “Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.”
• 1 Peter 2:1 – “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.”
• Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
• Ezekiel 18:21 – “But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die.”

The Prodigal Son’s Return:

• Luke 15:20 – “So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
• Luke 15:21 – “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'”
• Luke 15:22 – “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.'”
• Luke 15:24 – “For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”

Seeking God’s Forgiveness:

• Isaiah 55:6 – “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.”
• 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.”
• Lamentations 3:40 (ESV) – “Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!”
• 1 John 1:9 (NLT) – “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”