Being sorry, or demonstrating repentance, is a significant theme throughout the Bible. The Scripture provides guidance on recognizing wrongdoing, seeking forgiveness, and the transformative power of contrition. This collection of Bible verses highlights the importance of admitting mistakes, acknowledging sin, and the peace found in genuine repentance.
Bible Verses about Being Sorry
1. Psalm 51:1-2 – A Psalm of David
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” – Psalm 51:1-2
Cross-References
2 Samuel 12:13 – “Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Nathan replied, ‘The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.'”
Isaiah 43:25 – “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”
2. 2 Chronicles 7:14 – A Call to Humility and Repentance
“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.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14
Cross-References
James 4:10 – “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
1 Peter 5:6 – “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
3. Luke 15:21 – The Prodigal Son’s Return
“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 15:21
Cross-References
1 John 2:1 – “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”
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.'”
4. Matthew 5:23-24 – Reconciliation Before Worship
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” – Matthew 5:23-24
Cross-References
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.”
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.”
Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
5. Acts 3:19 – Repentance and Forgiveness
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” – Acts 3:19
Cross-References
Isaiah 55:6-7 – “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 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.”
Luke 13:3 – “I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
6. James 5:16 – Confession and Healing
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” – James 5:16
Cross-References
1 John 1:7 – “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
Leviticus 5:5 – “When anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned.”
7. Psalm 32:1-2 – The Joy of Forgiveness
“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.” – Psalm 32:1-2
Cross-References
Romans 4:7-8 – “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”
Psalm 85:2 – “You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins.”
8. Isaiah 55:7 – The Call to Return to God
“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.” – Isaiah 55:7
Cross-References
Jeremiah 3:22 – “‘Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding.’ ‘Yes, we will come to you, for you are the Lord our God.'”
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.”
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.”
9. Jonah 3:10 – Nineveh’s Repentance
“When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.” – Jonah 3:10
Cross-References
Joel 2:14 – “Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing—grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God.”
Jeremiah 18:8 – “And if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned.”
Matthew 12:41 – “The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.”
10. 1 John 1:9 – Living in the Light
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
Cross-References
Psalm 86:5 – “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.”
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.”
11. Matthew 3:8 – Fruit of Repentance
“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” – Matthew 3:8
Cross-References
James 2:17 – “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
12. Luke 18:13 – The Tax Collector’s Prayer
“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.’” – Luke 18:13
Cross-References
Psalm 51:17 – “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.”
Isaiah 57:15 – “For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.'”
Micah 6:8 – “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
13. Ezekiel 18:21-22 – A Promise of Life
“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. None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live.” – Ezekiel 18:21-22
14. Revelation 3:19 – Be Zealous and Repent
“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” – Revelation 3:19
Cross-References
Hebrews 12:6 – “Because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
Proverbs 3:11-12 – “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.”
Job 5:17 – “Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.”
15. Mark 1:15 – The Time Has Come
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” – Mark 1:15
Cross-References
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.'”
Luke 5:32 – “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
16. 2 Corinthians 7:10 – Godly Sorrow Brings Repentance
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” – 2 Corinthians 7:10
Cross-References
Hebrews 12:17 – “Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.”
Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
17. Proverbs 28:13 – Concealing and Confessing Sin
“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” – Proverbs 28:13
Cross-References
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.”
Psalm 51:3 – “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.”
18. 2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord’s Patience
“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.” – 2 Peter 3:9
Cross-References
Nehemiah 9:17 – “They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them.”
19. Joel 2:13 – Rend Your Heart
“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.” – Joel 2:13
Cross-References
Romans 10:9 – “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
2 Chronicles 30:9 – “If you return to the Lord, then your fellow Israelites and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will return to this land, for the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.”
20. Psalm 38:18 – Confession and Regret
“I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.” – Psalm 38:18
Cross-References
2 Samuel 24:10 – “David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the Lord, ‘I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, Lord, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.'”
Isaiah 6:5 – “‘Woe to me!’ I cried. ‘I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.'”
Ezra 9:6 – “And said: ‘I am too ashamed and disgraced, my God, to lift up my face to you, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens.'”
21. Luke 24:47 – Repentance and Forgiveness of Sins
“And repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” – Luke 24:47
Cross-References
Mark 16:15 – “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'”
Acts 5:31 – “God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.”
Acts 11:18 – “When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.'”
22. Hosea 14:1-2 – A Plea for Return
“Return, Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall! Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: ‘Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.’” – Hosea 14:1-2
Cross-References
Zechariah 1:3 – “Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
23. Romans 2:4 – God’s Kindness Leads to Repentance
“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” – Romans 2:4
Cross-References
Isaiah 30:18 – “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”
James 1:20 – “Because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
24. Jeremiah 31:19 – After Straying, the Realization
“After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.” – Jeremiah 31:19
Cross-References
Hosea 5:15 – “Then I will return to my lair until they have borne their guilt and seek my face— in their misery they will earnestly seek me.”
Ezekiel 6:9 – “Then in the nations where they have been carried captive, those who escape will remember me—how I have been grieved by their adulterous hearts, which have turned away from me, and by their eyes, which have lusted after their idols. They will loathe themselves for the evil they have done and for all their detestable practices.”
Job 42:6 – “Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
25. Joel 2:12 – Call for Wholehearted Repentance
“‘Even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.’” – Joel 2:12
Cross-References
Amos 5:4 – “This is what the Lord says to Israel: ‘Seek me and live.'”
Lamentations 3:40 – “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.”
Deuteronomy 30:2 – “And when you and your children return to the Lord your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today.”
26. Isaiah 1:16-18 – An Invitation to Reason
“Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. ‘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.’” – Isaiah 1:16-18
Cross-References
Jeremiah 2:22 – “Although you wash yourself with soap and use an abundance of cleansing powder, the stain of your guilt is still before me,’ declares the Sovereign Lord.”
1 Peter 1:18-19 – “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”
27. Acts 17:30 – Now He Commands All to Repent
“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.” – Acts 17:30
Cross-References
1 Timothy 2:4 – “Who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
28. Jeremiah 3:13 – Admit Your Wrongdoing
“Only acknowledge your guilt— you have rebelled against the Lord your God, you have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every spreading tree, and have not obeyed me,’” – Jeremiah 3:13
29. Matthew 4:17 – The First Sermon of Jesus
“From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’” – Matthew 4:17
Cross-References
Acts 26:20 – “First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.”
30. Ezekiel 18:30 – A Call to Repent and Live
“Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.” – Ezekiel 18:30
Cross-References
Micah 3:8 – “But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin.”
31. Nehemiah 1:6 – Confessing Sins of the People
“Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.” – Nehemiah 1:6
Cross-References
Leviticus 26:40 – “But if they will confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors—their unfaithfulness and their hostility toward me,”
Daniel 9:4 – “I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: ‘Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,'”
Psalms 106:6 – “We have sinned, even as our ancestors did; we have done wrong and acted wickedly.”
32. Luke 3:8 – Bring Forth Fruits
“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.” – Luke 3:8
Cross-References
John 15:2 – “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
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.”
Final Thoughts
Throughout Scripture, the consistent call for repentance underscores the importance of acknowledging our wrongs and the healing that follows genuine contrition. These verses confirm that God not only demands a change of heart but also provides the pathway toward forgiveness and redemption. Encountering God’s grace through repentance changes lives and encourages a community of believers to live in harmony with His commandments. The Bible teaches us that sorrow for sins, when combined with a sincere commitment to transform our ways, results in the ultimate assurance of salvation and a renewing of our spirit.
Each call to repentance is an expression of God’s great love, offering us an opportunity to draw closer to Him while releasing us from the grip of sin. In the journey of faith, continually turning our hearts to God invites His presence into our lives, enabling us to grow spiritually and align our actions with His will.