A move, a job change, a year abroad, retirement: goodbyes are part of life, but they are rarely easy. Here you will find 20 Bible verses for goodbyes – words of blessing that you can give someone as they set out on their way, and verses for the moments when letting go is difficult. For farewell cards, speeches, and the final joint church service. Verses for saying goodbye to a deceased person can be found at Bible verses for mourning.
Words of blessing for goodbyes
For a card, move, retirement, or year abroad.
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The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
4 Moses 6,24-26BlessingBaptismal verses
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The LORD keep your going out and your coming in from now until forever.
Psalm 121,8ProtectionBaptismal verses
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And behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go.
1 Moses 28,15aProtectionBaptismal verses
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And the LORD will keep between me and you when we come apart.
1 Moses 31,49bFriendship
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Behold, I have commanded you to be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you in all that you do.
Joshua 1,9EncouragementBaptismal verses
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But may the LORD of peace give you peace in every way and at all times. The LORD be with you all!
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But may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
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I thank my God whenever I remember you.
Philippians 1,3GratitudeFriendship
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Finally, brothers, rejoice, be perfect, edify yourselves, be of one mind, live peaceably; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
2 Corinthians 13,11Peace
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But may the God of peace, who raised Jesus from the dead, equip you to do all that is good. It is he who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13,20-21BlessingGod's will
When saying goodbye is difficult
Verses about separation, comfort, and reunion.
Ruth replied: Do not say to me that I should leave you and return from you. Where you go, I will go; where you stay, I will stay. Your people is my people, and your God is my God.
Ruth 1,16LoyaltyFriendship
For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3,1TimeBaptismal verses
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled or afraid.
And now you have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
John 16,22Joy
And you will be with the LORD forever.
1 Thessalonians 4,17bReturn
Though I were to take the wings of the morning and dwell at the utmost bounds of the sea, behold, your hand would lead me there, and your right hand would hold me.
Psalm 139,9-10God's handBaptismal verses
And now, brothers, I commend you to God and to the word of his grace.
Acts 20,32aBlessing
For though you pass through water, it will not overwhelm you, and though you pass through fire, you will not be burned, and the flame will not scorch you.
Isaiah 43,2ProtectionOvercoming
For I am certain that neither death nor life, neither angels nor rulers, neither things present nor things to come, neither height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our LORD.
Romans 8,38-39God's loveBaptismal verses
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, nor shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
Bible texts: Luther Bible 1912 (public domain), carefully adapted to modern spelling.
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Blessing as a farewell word
Even in the Bible, people say goodbye with a blessing. The Aaronic blessing from 4 Moses 6,24-26 is still spoken at the end of almost every church service today – that is why it is so familiar for a farewell card. Psalm 121,8 is suitable for a move and new beginning, 1 Moses 28,15 for those who are moving far away. And 1 Moses 31,49 – "And the LORD will keep between me and you when we come apart" – is a beautiful verse for long-distance friendships.
Goodbyes in the Bible
The Bible tells many stories of goodbyes: Ruth, who does not leave her mother-in-law alone; Paul, who says goodbye to the church in Miletus with tears (Acts 20); Jesus, who promises his peace to his disciples before saying goodbye (John 14,27). What they all have in common is the hope of reunion. For travelers, you can find more words at Travel blessing, and for the start afterwards at Bible verses for a new beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bible verse is suitable for a farewell card?
The blessing from 4 Moses 6,24-26, Psalm 121,8, and Joshua 1,9 are the most frequently chosen. For colleagues or friends, Philippians 1,3 is also suitable: "I thank my God whenever I remember you."
Is there a Bible verse for saying goodbye to retirement?
Ecclesiastes 3,1 ("For everything there is a season") and Psalm 90,17 about the work of our hands are suitable. For those who want to express gratitude, Philippians 1,3 is a good choice.
