20 Best Bible Verses to Memorize

John places this verse in the account of Jesus' nighttime conversation with Nicodemus. Read it with the surrounding teaching about new birth, the Son of Man being lifted up, belief, judgment and coming to the light (John 3:1–21).

Reference: John 3:16

Abram is childless and asks God about his heir. God promises offspring from Abram's own body and compares his descendants to the stars. The narrator then describes Abram's belief and God's reckoning of righteousness, before the covenant ceremony later in Genesis 15.

Reference: Genesis 15:6

Jesus gives this command to his disciples after Judas Iscariot has left the supper. He speaks about his departure and says their love for one another will identify them as his disciples (John 13:21–38).

Reference: John 13:34

Paul's prayer follows his appeal for believers to welcome one another as Christ welcomed them. He cites passages about the nations sharing in praise and hope, then asks God to fill his readers with joy and peace through the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:1–13).

Reference: Romans 15:13

This instruction stands between rejoicing and giving thanks in Paul's closing counsel to the Thessalonian church. The same paragraph calls for patience and practical support for others, so prayer is not offered as a substitute for caring for people (1 Thessalonians 5:12–24).

Reference: 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Jesus speaks to his disciples about going to the Father and promises the Holy Spirit. His gift of peace comes before the events that will trouble them, not after every difficulty has ended (John 14:15–31).

Reference: John 14:27

Jacob and Israel have complained that their situation is hidden from God. The passage contrasts the Creator's unfailing strength with human exhaustion and calls those who wait for Yahweh to renewed strength (Isaiah 40:21–31).

Reference: Isaiah 40:30–31

The opening of Proverbs introduces wisdom, justice, instruction and learning. This verse contrasts reverence for Yahweh with rejecting wisdom, and the following lines call a child to hear both a father's instruction and a mother's teaching (Proverbs 1:1–9).

Reference: Proverbs 1:7

Paul contrasts a former life of disobedience with God's kindness and mercy, naming the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. He then urges believers to maintain good works (Titus 3:1–9). Christian traditions differ in how they explain the relationship of this washing to baptism.

Reference: Titus 3:5–7

Paul says he asked the Lord three times to remove his thorn in the flesh. The answer points to grace and power in weakness; Paul then speaks of Christ's power amid insults, hardship and persecution (2 Corinthians 12:1–10). He does not identify the thorn precisely.

Reference: 2 Corinthians 12:9

Hebrews links drawing near to God through Jesus, holding fast and encouraging one another toward love and good works. The chapter also recalls the readers' suffering and warns against turning away (Hebrews 10:19–39). Its author is not named in the letter.

Reference: Hebrews 10:23

Paul first describes salvation by grace through faith, not as a basis for boasting. He then names good works as the purpose of being created in Christ Jesus, before describing Jews and Gentiles brought together in him (Ephesians 2:1–22).

Reference: Ephesians 2:10

The letter contrasts confessing sin with claiming to have none. It then speaks of Jesus Christ as an advocate with the Father and an atoning sacrifice (1 John 1:5–2:2). The author urges readers not to sin while addressing what happens when someone does.

Reference: 1 John 1:9

Paul addresses a church where Euodia and Syntyche need help agreeing in the Lord. His repeated call to rejoice stands beside gentleness, prayer and learning to think and act faithfully (Philippians 4:1–9).

Reference: Philippians 4:4

Psalm 100 calls the lands to joyful worship, identifies Yahweh as God and describes his people as the sheep of his pasture. The invitation into his gates and courts leads to praise for his goodness, enduring love and faithfulness.

Reference: Psalms 100:4

James contrasts hearing the word with doing it, using a person who forgets his reflection as an illustration. The paragraph connects obedience with restrained speech, care for orphans and widows, and avoiding the world's pollution (James 1:19–27).

Reference: James 1:22

This part of Psalm 119 joins seeking God, learning his statutes, speaking his ordinances and meditating on his ways. Keeping the word in the heart is directed toward not sinning against God, within an ongoing desire to learn and obey.

Reference: Psalms 119:11

The speaker has described suffering, unanswered cries and a loss of hope. Remembering Yahweh's mercy becomes a turning point, followed by waiting and seeking him (Lamentations 3:1–33). The book does not name this speaker, and these words do not mean the grief has ended.

Reference: Lamentations 3:22–23

The opening sayings of Proverbs 15 contrast gentle and harsh speech, wisdom and folly, and the willingness to receive correction. Verse 1 presents a practical contrast about answering anger; it does not make a harmed person responsible for controlling someone else's behavior.

Reference: Proverbs 15:1

Hebrews has just spoken of praise offered through Jesus. It adds doing good and sharing as sacrifices pleasing to God, within a chapter that also calls for hospitality and remembering prisoners and people who are mistreated (Hebrews 13:1–17).

Reference: Hebrews 13:16