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Key Bible Verses — Important Scriptures to Read and Understand
Important passages from Genesis to Revelation, each shown in full in your chosen Bible version, with where it comes from and what it means in its setting.
For Grief and Loss
16Ruth said, “Don’t urge me to leave you, and to return from following you, for where you go, I will go; and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God. 17Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me.” Where you go, I will go
Ruth, a widow from Moab, refuses to leave her widowed mother-in-law Naomi and commits herself to Naomi's people and God. The vow is often read at weddings, but in the…
He said, “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, and naked will I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the LORD’s name.” The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away
Job speaks these words after losing his children and his wealth in a day. He worships and does not accuse God; the rest of the book also gives voice to…
But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives. In the end, he will stand upon the earth. I know that my Redeemer lives
In the depth of his suffering and his friends' accusations, Job declares that his redeemer lives and will stand on the earth, and that he will see God.
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall lack nothing. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. 6Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the LORD’s house forever. The LORD is my shepherd
A psalm of David picturing the LORD as shepherd and generous host. It moves from green pastures, through the valley of the shadow of death, to dwelling in the LORD's…
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit. Near to the broken-hearted
The LORD is near those whose hearts are broken. The psalm admits that "many are the afflictions of the righteous" (34:19) and promises God's deliverance in them, not freedom from…
For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: A time for everything
The Teacher's poem of fourteen pairs of seasons, from birth and death to war and peace. Life has its times, under a God whose work humans cannot fully grasp (3:11).
22It is because of the LORD’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his mercies don’t fail. 23They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. His mercies are new every morning
In a book of grief over Jerusalem's destruction, the writer remembers the LORD's steadfast love and faithfulness. Hope is found in the middle of the lament, not after it.
25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. 26Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” I am the resurrection and the life
Jesus speaks to Martha after her brother Lazarus has died, before raising him from the tomb.
1“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. 3If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also. Let not your hearts be troubled
At the Last Supper Jesus comforts his disciples before his death: there are many rooms in his Father's house, and he will come again to take them to himself.
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. All things work together for good
Paul writes in the middle of a passage about suffering, groaning and the Spirit's help in prayer (8:18-27). God works in all things for the good of those who love…
38For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from God’s love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Nothing can separate us from the love of God
The climax of Romans 8: neither death nor life, nor any power or created thing can separate God's people from his love in Christ Jesus.
55“Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory?” 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Death, where is your sting?
The end of Paul's chapter on the resurrection of the dead: through Jesus Christ, God gives victory over death.
1I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more. 2I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. 3I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people; and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more. The first things have passed away.” 5He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” He said, “Write, for these words of God are faithful and true.” I am making all things new
John's vision of a new heaven and a new earth: God dwells with his people, wipes away every tear and ends death, mourning and pain.