Short Bible Verses
50 powerful, brief scriptures from the King James Bible that are easy to memorize -- perfect for daily encouragement, scripture memory cards, and quick devotional reading.
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Short Verses
41
Themes
KJV
Translation
20
Books
Why Short Bible Verses Are So Powerful
Short Bible verses are among the most powerful passages in all of Scripture. Their brevity makes them the easiest scriptures to memorize and meditate on throughout the day. When you can carry a verse in your heart without needing to look it up, it becomes a ready source of strength, comfort, and guidance in every situation. Many of the most famous and frequently quoted scriptures in the Bible are remarkably short -- from the two-word declaration “Jesus wept” (John 11:35) to the three-word command “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Brief Bible passages are ideal for scripture memory cards, phone wallpapers, journal entries, and even tattoos. They serve as anchors for the soul -- short enough to recall instantly yet deep enough to sustain a lifetime of reflection. For children's Bible study, short KJV verses provide the perfect starting point for building a habit of scripture memorization. A child who memorizes “God is love” or “Rejoice evermore” has planted a seed that the Holy Spirit can water for decades to come.
The shortest verse in the entire Bible is John 11:35: “Jesus wept.” Though only two words, it reveals the deep compassion of Christ and His willingness to enter into human grief. This proves that the power of Scripture is not measured by length but by divine inspiration. Every verse below, whether three words or a single sentence, carries the full weight and authority of God's Word.
These 50 short scriptures are presented in the King James Version and span both the Old and New Testaments. Each one links to a full verse study page where you can explore cross-references, original language words, commentary, and related Bible topics. Whether you are looking for easy Bible verses for memorization, quick scripture for daily encouragement, or brief KJV passages to share with others, this collection will serve you well.
Browse by Theme
- 1
- 21 Thessalonians 5:17Prayer
“Pray without ceasing.”
- 3
“Rejoice evermore.”
- 4Psalm 118:24Joy
“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
- 5Psalm 56:3Trust
“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.”
- 6Psalm 46:10Stillness
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”
- 7Proverbs 3:5Trust
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
- 81 John 4:19Love
“We love him, because he first loved us.”
- 9Romans 12:12Hope
“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.”
- 10
“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”
- 111 John 4:8Love
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
- 12Genesis 1:1Creation
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
- 13Psalm 23:1Comfort
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
- 14Romans 8:28Providence
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
- 15Ephesians 4:32Kindness
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”
- 16Philippians 4:13Strength
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
- 171 Peter 5:7Anxiety
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
- 18Proverbs 18:10Protection
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”
- 19Matthew 5:16Witness
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
- 20John 8:32Freedom
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
- 21Psalm 27:1Fearlessness
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
- 22James 4:7Spiritual Warfare
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
- 23Hebrews 13:8Unchanging God
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
- 24Mark 10:27Faith
“With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”
- 25Psalm 119:105Guidance
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
- 26Colossians 3:2Priorities
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
- 271 Thessalonians 5:18Gratitude
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
- 28Proverbs 16:3Commitment
“Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.”
- 29Psalm 37:4Desire
“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
- 30Romans 6:23Salvation
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
- 31Proverbs 4:23Heart
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
- 32Psalm 34:8Goodness
“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
- 33Matthew 6:33Priorities
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
- 34Colossians 3:23Work
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”
- 35Psalm 139:14Identity
“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”
- 36John 1:1Deity of Christ
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
- 37Hebrews 11:1Faith
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
- 38Psalm 46:1Refuge
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
- 392 Timothy 1:7Power
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
- 40Galatians 2:20New Life
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
- 41Psalm 103:12Forgiveness
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
- 421 John 1:9Forgiveness
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
- 43Nahum 1:7Goodness
“The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.”
- 44Psalm 16:11Joy
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
- 45Psalm 51:10Repentance
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
- 46Ecclesiastes 3:1Seasons
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
- 47Matthew 11:28Rest
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
- 48John 14:6Truth
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
- 49Romans 12:2Transformation
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
- 50Joshua 1:9Courage
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
How Many of These Short Verses Can You Recall?
Put your Scripture memory to the test. Take a chapter quiz from any book featured on this page -- 15 questions per quiz with instant scoring and verse-by-verse explanations.
Take a Quiz NowShort Verses by Testament
Old Testament(21 verses)
- Psalm 118:24-- Psalms
- Psalm 56:3-- Psalms
- Psalm 46:10-- Psalms
- Proverbs 3:5-- Proverbs
- Genesis 1:1-- Genesis
- Psalm 23:1-- Psalms
- Proverbs 18:10-- Proverbs
- Psalm 27:1-- Psalms
- Psalm 119:105-- Psalms
- Proverbs 16:3-- Proverbs
- Psalm 37:4-- Psalms
- Proverbs 4:23-- Proverbs
- Psalm 34:8-- Psalms
- Psalm 139:14-- Psalms
- Psalm 46:1-- Psalms
- Psalm 103:12-- Psalms
- Nahum 1:7-- Nahum
- Psalm 16:11-- Psalms
- Psalm 51:10-- Psalms
- Ecclesiastes 3:1-- Ecclesiastes
- Joshua 1:9-- Joshua
New Testament(29 verses)
- John 11:35-- John
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17-- 1 Thessalonians
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-- 1 Thessalonians
- 1 John 4:19-- 1 John
- Romans 12:12-- Romans
- Philippians 4:4-- Philippians
- 1 John 4:8-- 1 John
- Romans 8:28-- Romans
- Ephesians 4:32-- Ephesians
- Philippians 4:13-- Philippians
- 1 Peter 5:7-- 1 Peter
- Matthew 5:16-- Matthew
- John 8:32-- John
- James 4:7-- James
- Hebrews 13:8-- Hebrews
- Mark 10:27-- Mark
- Colossians 3:2-- Colossians
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18-- 1 Thessalonians
- Romans 6:23-- Romans
- Matthew 6:33-- Matthew
- Colossians 3:23-- Colossians
- John 1:1-- John
- Hebrews 11:1-- Hebrews
- 2 Timothy 1:7-- 2 Timothy
- Galatians 2:20-- Galatians
- 1 John 1:9-- 1 John
- Matthew 11:28-- Matthew
- John 14:6-- John
- Romans 12:2-- Romans
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the shortest verse in the Bible?
The shortest verse in the King James Version is John 11:35: “Jesus wept.” It contains only two words and nine letters. Despite its brevity, this verse powerfully reveals the compassion of Jesus Christ as He grieved at the tomb of His friend Lazarus. In the original Greek, the verse reads “edakrusen ho Iesous,” which is also remarkably brief at just three words.
What are good short Bible verses to memorize?
Some of the best short Bible verses for memorization include “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), “Rejoice evermore” (1 Thessalonians 5:16), “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19), “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1), and “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). These verses are brief enough to commit to memory quickly while carrying deep spiritual truth.
What short Bible verse is good for encouragement?
For encouragement, consider memorizing “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7), “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1), “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10), and “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Each of these brief passages offers immediate comfort and strength during difficult seasons of life.
How many words is the shortest Bible verse?
The shortest Bible verse in the King James Version, John 11:35, contains exactly two words: “Jesus wept.” The next shortest verses include “Rejoice evermore” (1 Thessalonians 5:16) at two words and “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) at three words. These ultra-short verses demonstrate that God's truth does not require lengthy explanation to transform the heart.
What are easy Bible verses for kids to learn?
The easiest Bible verses for children are the shortest ones with simple vocabulary: “Jesus wept” (John 11:35), “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), “Rejoice evermore” (1 Thessalonians 5:16), “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (1 John 4:8), “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19), and “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). Starting with these brief verses helps children build confidence in scripture memorization before progressing to longer passages.
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