100+ Inspirational Bible Verses for Prisoners
Published December 19, 2022
Individuals incarcerated may experience helplessness, regret, grief, and distress. However, the Bible is the greatest beacon of hope, and as such, it may provide hope to individuals battling the difficulties and repercussions of wrongdoing and imprisonment.
Read further to find passages from the Bible that can lift, calm, and inspire inmates. These Bible verses for prisoners can also help the families of inmates and crime victims.
32 Bible Verses About Forgiving and Forgiveness
Sometimes a gentle reminder that the greatest gift anyone can give themselves and others is forgiveness is necessary. Prisoners and their families can find solace with the help of these verses.
Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Matthew 6:14
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
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.”
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Proverbs 17:9
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,
but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”
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.”
Psalm 86:5
“You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love to all who call to you.”
Proverbs 28:13
“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’”
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Psalm 32:5
“Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave the guilt of my sin.”
2 Chronicles 30:9
“For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.”
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.”
Acts 13:38-39
“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.”
Mark 11:25
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
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.’”
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 6:12
“And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
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.”
Ephesians 1:7
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”
Nehemiah 9:31
“But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.”
Jeremiah 3:12
“‘Return, faithless Israel,’ declares the Lord,
‘I will frown on you no longer,
for I am faithful,’ declares the Lord,
‘I will not be angry forever.’”
Acts 17:30
“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.”
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.”
James 5:14-15
“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.”
Psalm 32:1
“Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.”
Matthew 12:32
Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
Hebrews 8:12
“For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.”
Matthew 6:15
“But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Luke 17:3-4
“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
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.’”
Colossians 1:13-14
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
30 Bible Verses for Encouragement
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The following verses show the wonderful promises made by God to men and women. The study of these Bible verses for prisoners can provide encouragement and strength.
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Isaiah 43:2
“When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Psalm 32:8
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
1 Corinthians 15:58
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Psalm 121:1-2
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Proverbs 14:23
“All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
1 Corinthians 16:13
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
Psalm 31:24
“Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the Lord.”
Isaiah 43:4
“Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.”
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.”
Psalm 90:17
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.”
Romans 15:5
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.”
Romans 8:31
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
2 Corinthians 4:17
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
2 Corinthians 8:12
“For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.”
Romans 15:2
“Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.”
Luke 12:6-7
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Colossians 2:2
“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:16
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
2 Corinthians 1:5
“For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”
Romans 1:11-12
“I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”
Revelation 7:16-17
“‘Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,’
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the center of the throne
will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’
‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”
Isaiah 51:12
“I, even I, am he who comforts you.
Who are you that you fear mere mortals,
human beings who are but grass.”
10 Bible Verses for Hope and Comfort
The following Bible verses about prisoners can assist inmates in knowing the earthly and spiritual peace and hope in Christ; these words help strengthen convicts as they tackle the daily physical obstacles of prison life.
James 1:12
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
2 Corinthians 3:17
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Romans 12:12
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may about in hope.”
Matthew 5:6
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.”
Isaiah 43:19
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Psalm 118:5
“Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.”
Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.”
19 Bible Verses for Physical Health and Passing Away
The following verses provide inmates optimism as they deal with health problems. These verses can calm those worried about the future and encourage those frustrated by their current situation.
Psalm 103:2-5
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle‘s.
Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Psalm 41:3
“The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.”
Philippians 1:21
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
1 Timothy 4:8
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
John 11:25
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.’”
2 Timothy 2:11
“Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him.”
Romans 8:38-39
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Revelation 21:4
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Ecclesiastes 11:10
“So then, banish anxiety from your heart
and cast off the troubles of your body,
for youth and vigor are meaningless.”
Proverbs 17:22
“A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Exodus 23:25
“Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you.”
Proverbs 13:12
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”
3 John 1:2
“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”
Romans 14:8
“If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”
Psalm 139:7-8
“Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.”
2 Timothy 2:11
“Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him.”
Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.”
Bible Verses Regarding Self-Control and Discipline
With the help of these verses, inmates can get a greater sense of control over themselves and their present and future situation.
James 1:19
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
Proverbs 12:16
“Fools show their annoyance at once,
but the prudent overlook an insult.”
Proverbs 29:11
“Fools give full vent to their rage,
but the wise bring calm in the end.”
Proverbs 4:27
“Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.”
1 Corinthians 7:5
“Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
2 Peter 1:5-7
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.”
Proverbs 18:21
“The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
James 4:2
“You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.”
Matthew 26:41
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Have Spiritual Freedom Before Resocialization
The Bible verses for prisoners provided above should assist them spiritually while serving their time in prison, as these can help them have spiritual freedom. And before their release, it is vital to add to their resocialization everything they learned before entering society. “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” – Galatians 5:13
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About The Author
Krizzia Paolyn is an SEO Specialist with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. It has always been her passion to share her voice, and at the same time, to encourage other people to speak up.
