100 Bible Verses about Loving Your Children

Ephesians 6:4 ESV / 338 helpful votes

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 317 helpful votes

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Psalm 127:3-5 ESV / 286 helpful votes

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV / 260 helpful votes

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV / 245 helpful votes

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Psalm 27:10 ESV / 143 helpful votes

For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.

Proverbs 13:24 ESV / 130 helpful votes

Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

John 3:16 ESV / 129 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Colossians 3:20 ESV / 120 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV / 107 helpful votes

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Matthew 6:25-34 ESV / 105 helpful votes

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ...

Proverbs 29:15 ESV / 94 helpful votes

The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

Psalm 113:9 ESV / 92 helpful votes

He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!

Philippians 2:1-4 ESV / 79 helpful votes

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Proverbs 15:1-33 ESV / 79 helpful votes

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. ...

Proverbs 17:6 ESV / 74 helpful votes

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.

John 15:13 ESV / 73 helpful votes

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Luke 18:15-17 ESV / 66 helpful votes

Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Psalm 127:3 ESV / 60 helpful votes

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

1 John 5:14 ESV / 59 helpful votes

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

1 John 4:7 ESV / 57 helpful votes

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

Proverbs 1:8-9 ESV / 57 helpful votes

Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.

Exodus 20:12 ESV / 57 helpful votes

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

Mark 10:13-16 ESV / 56 helpful votes

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Ephesians 6:1-4 ESV / 52 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV / 51 helpful votes

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ...

Romans 12:18 ESV / 51 helpful votes

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Colossians 3:21 ESV / 50 helpful votes

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Proverbs 15:20 ESV / 49 helpful votes

A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

Titus 2:4 ESV / 48 helpful votes

And so train the young women to love their husbands and children,

Deuteronomy 11:19 ESV / 47 helpful votes

You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Proverbs 22:15 ESV / 45 helpful votes

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

2 Timothy 3:14-15 ESV / 44 helpful votes

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 44 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Matthew 5:44 ESV / 44 helpful votes

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

1 Peter 4:8 ESV / 43 helpful votes

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

1 John 3:18 ESV / 42 helpful votes

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 ESV / 42 helpful votes

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

Matthew 18:10 ESV / 41 helpful votes

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

Proverbs 10:12 ESV / 41 helpful votes

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.

Deuteronomy 4:9 ESV / 41 helpful votes

“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children—

1 John 3:1 ESV / 39 helpful votes

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

1 John 4:8 ESV / 38 helpful votes

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Luke 6:35 ESV / 37 helpful votes

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 is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

1 Peter 3:7 ESV / 36 helpful votes

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 ESV / 36 helpful votes

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Mark 9:36-37 ESV / 35 helpful votes

And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

Proverbs 29:17 ESV / 35 helpful votes

Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.

Ephesians 6:1 ESV / 34 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Isaiah 54:13 ESV / 33 helpful votes

All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.

Proverbs 19:18 ESV / 32 helpful votes

Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.

Proverbs 17:17 ESV / 32 helpful votes

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 31 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Colossians 3:14 ESV / 30 helpful votes

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Matthew 10:37 ESV / 30 helpful votes

Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Deuteronomy 6:7 ESV / 30 helpful votes

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Hebrews 11:1 ESV / 29 helpful votes

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Titus 2:3-5 ESV / 29 helpful votes

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

Ephesians 6:1-3 ESV / 29 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

Matthew 21:15-16 ESV / 29 helpful votes

But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?”

Matthew 18:2-6 ESV / 29 helpful votes

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Proverbs 20:11 ESV / 29 helpful votes

Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.

Psalm 8:2 ESV / 29 helpful votes

Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.

1 John 4:18 ESV / 28 helpful votes

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Matthew 22:37-39 ESV / 28 helpful votes

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Proverbs 6:20 ESV / 28 helpful votes

My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching.

Proverbs 1:8 ESV / 28 helpful votes

Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching,

Matthew 7:12 ESV / 27 helpful votes

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Ephesians 5:25 ESV / 26 helpful votes

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

Proverbs 23:13-14 ESV / 26 helpful votes

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.

Proverbs 10:1 ESV / 26 helpful votes

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.

Numbers 6:24-26 ESV / 26 helpful votes

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

1 John 3:16-18 ESV / 25 helpful votes

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 25 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Romans 5:8 ESV / 25 helpful votes

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 6:2 ESV / 24 helpful votes

“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),

Romans 13:10 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

John 1:12 ESV / 24 helpful votes

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

Ephesians 5:33 ESV / 23 helpful votes

However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Deuteronomy 6:1-25 ESV / 23 helpful votes

“Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son's son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. ...

Ephesians 4:2 ESV / 22 helpful votes

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Proverbs 31:1-31 ESV / 22 helpful votes

The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him: What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows? Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. ...

Genesis 33:5 ESV / 22 helpful votes

And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”

Genesis 2:18 ESV / 22 helpful votes

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

2 Timothy 1:5 ESV / 21 helpful votes

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

Psalm 103:13 ESV / 21 helpful votes

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 21 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

Leviticus 19:3 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.

Romans 12:9 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Matthew 19:13-14 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Proverbs 21:9 ESV / 20 helpful votes

It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

1 John 1:9 ESV / 18 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Matthew 19:14 ESV / 18 helpful votes

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 5:48 ESV / 18 helpful votes

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Proverbs 19:14 ESV / 18 helpful votes

House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.

John 16:21 ESV / 17 helpful votes

When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.

Psalm 91:1-16 ESV / 17 helpful votes

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, ...

Exodus 20:1-26 ESV / 17 helpful votes

And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, ...

Genesis 3:16 ESV / 17 helpful votes

To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.”

1 John 4:19 ESV / 15 helpful votes

We love because he first loved us.

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