Some verses of the Bible are so well loved that they are printed on cards, painted on walls and memorised by children around the world. Knowing them helps you understand the Christian faith, pray with confidence and encourage others. Here are twenty-five famous verses, in Bible order, in the words of the King James Version, with a short note on each.
Old Testament
1. Genesis 1:1
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."
The Bible's first words: everything begins with God.
2. Joshua 1:9
"Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
God's promise to Joshua as he took up leadership — a favourite verse for new beginnings.
3. Joshua 24:15
"…but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
A family's commitment, often displayed in Christian homes.
4. Psalm 23:1
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."
The opening of the most loved psalm, read at times of comfort and grief.
5. Psalm 46:1
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
Assurance of God's protection when life is shaken.
6. Psalm 119:105
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
The Bible as a guide for daily life.
7. Proverbs 3:5–6
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
A call to trust God in every decision.
8. Isaiah 40:31
"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
Strength for the weary.
9. Isaiah 53:5
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
A prophecy Christians see fulfilled in Jesus' death.
10. Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
Written to exiles in Babylon — a promise of God's faithful purposes through hard times.
11. Lamentations 3:22–23
"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
Hope in the middle of grief.
12. Micah 6:8
"…what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
A summary of a faithful life.
New Testament
13. Matthew 6:33
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Putting God first.
14. Matthew 11:28
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Jesus' invitation to the tired and burdened.
15. Matthew 28:19–20
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost… and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."
The Great Commission.
16. John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Perhaps the best-known verse in the Bible — the gospel in one sentence.
17. John 14:6
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
Jesus' claim to be the way to God.
18. Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
Everyone needs God's grace.
19. Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
The contrast between what we earn and what God gives.
20. Romans 8:28
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Confidence that God is at work in every circumstance.
21. 1 Corinthians 13:13
"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."
"Charity" here means love — the climax of the famous love chapter.
22. 2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
New life in Christ.
23. Ephesians 2:8–9
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."
Salvation is a gift, not a reward.
24. Philippians 4:6–7
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
"Be careful for nothing" means "do not be anxious about anything".
25. Revelation 21:4
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain."
The Bible's final hope.
Reading verses in context
Each of these verses belongs to a larger passage. Read the surrounding chapter to understand them fully — see how to interpret the Bible in context.
Start memorising
Choose one verse a week to learn by heart. Our guide to memorising Bible verses will help.