These NLT Bible verses have been carefully curated and thoughtfully arranged to reveal a deeper understanding of God’s message on forgiveness. Each passage is intentionally chosen to show how forgiveness is revealed throughout Scripture—not just in isolated verses, but as a unified truth.
What Forgiveness Really Means
When I first came to know Christ, I couldn’t help but realize his divine forgiveness, and it wasn’t like anything I had ever experienced in my life. It was gentle, warm, and joyful, and even though I try to describe it, I can never put it altogether into words. It was an immeasurable power not of this world and a gift delivered within my soul. I realized it wasn’t just meant for me alone but also intended for others.
Forgiveness in the Bible (NLT) — Let Go and Find Freedom
These passages highlight the depth of God’s forgiveness and the freedom it brings.
Psalms 25:18 (NLT)
Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins.
Psalms 32:1 (NLT)
Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!
Psalms 130:3-4 (NLT)
Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? 4. But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.
Jeremiah 33:8 (NLT)
I will cleanse them of their sins against me and forgive all their sins of rebellion.
Daniel 9:9 (NLT)
But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.
Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT)
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 9:2 (NLT)
Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.”
Matthew 26:28 (NLT)
for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.
Mark 1:4 (NLT)
This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.
Mark 3:28-29 (NLT)
“I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, 29. but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences.”
Luke 1:76-78 (NLT)
“And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. 77. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. 78. Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,
Luke 24:46-47 (NLT)
And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’
John 20:21-23 (NLT)
Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” 22. Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Acts of the Apostles 2:38 (NLT)
Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts of the Apostles 5:31 (NLT)
Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven.
Acts of the Apostles 10:43 (NLT)
He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”
Acts of the Apostles 13:38-39 (NLT)
“Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. 39. Everyone who believes in him is made right in God’s sight—something the law of Moses could never do.
2 Corinthians 2:10-11 (NLT)
When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, 11. so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.
Colossians 1:13-14 (NLT)
For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14. who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
Colossians 2:13-14 (NLT)
You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.
Colossians 3:12-13 (NLT)
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
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.
Forgiveness isn’t about saying it was okay—it’s about choosing freedom over what hurt you.
Strengthen Your Mind with Truth
If you’re struggling with forgiveness, these devotionals will help you apply God’s Word to your situation and walk in true freedom.
Guard Your Heart – Steps TowardsEternity Daily Devotional
Protecting your heart with diligence ensures the flow of God’s peace, joy, and purpose in your life.
Love Your Enemies, Let God Fight Your Battles – Steps Toward Eternity Daily Devotional
Discover how trusting God and loving your enemies leads to victory and peace through faith.
The Struggle to Forgive Is Real
The forgiveness of God repairs the heart, mind, and soul from any emotional damage you have suffered.
When Forgiveness Feels Impossible — Start Here
If you would like additional verses on forgiveness, visit our Bible Search page.
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Scripture quotations from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press