What Does the Bible Say About Kindness? 11 Inspirational Verses

Ephesians 4:32

ESVBe kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
KJVAnd be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
NASBBe kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
NIVBe kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
NLTInstead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Luke 6:35

ESVBut love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
KJVBut love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
NASB“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.
NIVBut love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
NLT“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.

Also, see Bible Verses About Service

Proverbs 11:17

ESVA man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.
KJVThe merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
NASBThe merciful man does himself good, But the cruel man does himself harm.
NIVThose who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.
NLTYour kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you.

Colossians 3:12

ESVPut on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
KJVPut on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
NASBSo, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
NIVTherefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
NLTSince God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Also, see Bible Verses About Spring

Proverbs 31:26

ESVShe opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
KJVShe openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
NASBShe opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
NIVShe speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
NLTWhen she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.

Proverbs 19:17

ESVWhoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
KJVHe that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
NASBOne who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, And He will repay him for his good deed.
NIVWhoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.
NLTIf you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD— and he will repay you!

Also, see Bible Verses About Surrender

1 John 3:18

ESVLittle children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
KJVMy little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
NASBLittle children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
NIVDear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
NLTDear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

Galatians 6:10

ESVSo then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
KJVAs we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
NASBSo then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
NIVTherefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
NLTTherefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

1 Peter 3:9

ESVDo not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
KJVNot rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
NASBnot returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
NIVDo not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
NLTDon’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.

Galatians 5:22

ESVBut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
KJVBut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
NASBBut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
NIVBut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
NLTBut the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Romans 11:22

ESVNote then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.
KJVBehold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
NASBBehold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.
NIVConsider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.
NLTNotice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.

Daniel Isaiah Joseph

Daniel's seminary degree is in Exegetical Theology. He was a pastor for 10 years. As a professor, he has taught Bible and theology courses at two Christian universities. Please see his About page for details.

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