The Holy Bible Verses

50 Bible Verses About Repentance

Discover Bible verses about repentance, including Acts 3:19. Reflect on forgiveness and renewal with practical steps and insights.

By The Editorial Team

Verses sourced from the World English Bible (public domain). Selection follows our editorial policy. Last reviewed 2026-04-23. See all sources.

Repentance in the Bible involves a sincere turning away from sin and a return to God. It is often associated with forgiveness and spiritual renewal, as highlighted in Acts 3:19, which calls for individuals to repent and turn to God for the refreshing of their souls. This process emphasizes humility and transformation.

““Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,”
— Acts 3:19 WEB

The night is quiet, but your mind isn’t. Regret and guilt weigh heavily. The Bible speaks of repentance as a way to find peace and forgiveness. Acts 3:19 encourages, “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out.” Repentance means turning away from wrong and seeking a fresh start. It’s not just about feeling sorry, but about a heartfelt change that transforms your actions and thoughts.

Throughout scripture, we see examples of repentance leading to forgiveness and renewal. In Leviticus 19:22, atonement is made for sin, emphasizing the importance of seeking forgiveness. 2 Chronicles 7:14 reminds us that when people humble themselves and turn from evil, God hears and heals. These verses assure us that no sin is too great to be forgiven when we sincerely repent. The journey of repentance is one of hope and new beginnings.

50 verses

  1. 1

    “The priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before Yahweh for his sin which he has committed: and the sin which he has committed shall be forgiven him.”

  2. 2

    “Now therefore, please pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship Yahweh.””

  3. 3

    ““Remember now, Yahweh, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.”

  4. 4

    “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

  5. 5

    “I acknowledged my sin to you. I didn’t hide my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to Yahweh, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.”

  6. 6

    “Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.”

  7. 7

    “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. Cleanse me from my sin.”

  8. 8

    “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.”

  9. 9

    “He remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.”

  10. 10

    “Turn at my reproof. Behold,“Behold”, from “הִנֵּה”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection. I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.”

  11. 11

    “By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.”

  12. 12

    “He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

  13. 13

    “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, your transgressions, and, as a cloud, your sins. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”

  14. 14

    “After the suffering of his soul, he will see the lightSo read the Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint. Masoretic Text omits “the light”. and be satisfied. My righteous servant will justify many by the knowledge of himself; and he will bear their iniquities.”

  15. 15

    “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to Yahweh, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”

  16. 16

    “transgressing and denying Yahweh, and turning away from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.”

  17. 17

    “You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness, those who remember you in your ways. Behold, you were angry, and we sinned. We have been in sin for a long time. Shall we be saved?”

  18. 18

    “Surely after that I was turned. I repented. After that I was instructed. I struck my thigh. I was ashamed, yes, even confounded, because I bore the reproach of my youth.’”

  19. 19

    “Cast away from you all your transgressions, in which you have transgressed; and make yourself a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, house of Israel?”

  20. 20

    “To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness; for we have rebelled against him.”

  21. 21

    “Take words with you, and return to Yahweh. Tell him, “Forgive all our sins, and accept that which is good: so we offer our lips like bulls.”

  22. 22

    “Tear your heart, and not your garments, and turn to Yahweh, your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and relents from sending calamity.”

  23. 25

    “But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’Hosea 6:6 for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”NU omits “to repentance”.”

  24. 26

    “For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. When you saw it, you didn’t even repent afterward, that you might believe him.”

  25. 27

    “and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and God’s Kingdom is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.””

  26. 28

    “that ‘seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest perhaps they should turn again, and their sins should be forgiven them.’”Isaiah 6:9-10”

  27. 29

    “They went out and preached that people should repent.”

  28. 30

    “Seeing their faith, he said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.””

  29. 31

    “Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’””

  30. 32

    “and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

  31. 33

    ““Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,”

  32. 34

    “God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.”

  33. 35

    “Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.”

  34. 36

    “The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent,”

  35. 37

    “testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus.TR adds “Christ””

  36. 38

    “to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’”

  37. 39

    “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart”;Deuteronomy 30:14 that is, the word of faith, which we preach:”

  38. 40

    “For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

  39. 41

    “This is my covenant with them, when I will take away their sins.”Isaiah 59:20-21; 27:9; Jeremiah 31:33-34”

  40. 42

    “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold,“Behold”, from “ἰδοὺ”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection. all things have become new.”

  41. 43

    “in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,”

  42. 44

    “in whom we have our redemption,TR adds “through his blood,” the forgiveness of our sins;”

  43. 45

    “Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

  44. 46

    “Therefore leaving the teaching of the first principles of Christ, let us press on to perfection—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God,”

  45. 47

    “let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having our body washed with pure water,”

  46. 48

    “let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”

  47. 49

    “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

  48. 50

    “As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent.”

For your week

Reflect

Repentance invites you to let go of your burdens. It's a chance to realign your heart with God's will. Consider the freedom that comes with genuine repentance.

Pray

Lord, help me to honestly acknowledge my wrongdoing and seek Your forgiveness. Guide my heart to turn away from sin and walk in Your light. Amen.

Apply

This week, take time to reflect on areas where you've strayed. Write down your thoughts and pray for strength to change and seek forgiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does repentance mean in the Bible?

Repentance in the Bible means a complete turning away from sin and moving towards God. It's not just feeling sorry, but a transformation of heart and mind. In Acts 3:19, it says to "repent and turn again," highlighting the need for a change in direction. True repentance involves acknowledging sin, seeking God's forgiveness, and making a conscious effort to live according to His will.

How do I truly repent?

To truly repent, start by acknowledging your sins before God. Be honest and specific. Psalms 32:5 demonstrates this when David confesses his transgressions. Next, seek forgiveness through prayer, asking God for a heart willing to change. Finally, turn away from sin and make intentional choices to follow God's ways. True repentance involves both internal change and outward action.

Is repentance required for salvation?

Yes, repentance is a crucial part of salvation. Acts 3:19 calls us to repent so "your sins may be blotted out." Salvation involves turning from sin and accepting Jesus Christ's sacrifice. In Luke 24:47, Jesus instructs that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be preached to all nations. Repentance and faith in Christ are intertwined in the salvation experience.

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