Courage does not mean having no fear, but going anyway. The Bible often speaks of this – mostly in moments when people are facing something great. Here you will find 22 Bible verses for courage: for new steps, difficult decisions, and situations where you seem to stand alone.
Be strong and courageous
God's encouragement before great tasks.
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See, I have commanded you to be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9EncouragementFarewell
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Be strong and courageous, for you are to divide the land among this people, which I swore to their fathers that I would give them.
Joshua 1:6
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Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the LORD your God will walk with you, and he will not leave you or forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6EncouragementLoneliness
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And David said to his son Solomon: Be strong and courageous, and do so. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for God the LORD, my God, will be with you and will not withdraw his hand or leave you, until you have completed all the work for the service of the LORD.
1 Chronicles 28:20
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Wait for the LORD! Be strong and courageous, and wait for the LORD!
Psalm 27:14EncouragementAnswered prayer
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Be strong and courageous, all you who wait for the LORD!
Psalm 31:25
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Do not be afraid, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10FearEncouragement
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Say to the discouraged hearts: Be strong and courageous! Look, your God is coming to avenge; God will come to reward and will help you.
Isaiah 35:4Fear
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Do not be afraid or dismayed by this great multitude, for you are not fighting, but God is.
2 Chronicles 20:15bSpiritual battle
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And now, Zerubbabel, be strong! says the LORD; be strong, Joshua, son of Jozadak, you High Priest! be strong, all the people in the land! says the LORD, and work! for I am with you, says the LORD of Hosts.
Haggai 2:4
Faith with courage
Courage in following and in confession.
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Watch, stand in faith, be courageous, and be strong!
1 Corinthians 16:13Confirmation verses
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Finally, my brothers, be strong in the LORD and in the power of his might.
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For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of strength and love and self-control.
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And now, LORD, look at their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness.
Acts 4:29
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But they marveled at the boldness of Peter and John, and they knew that they were uneducated, ordinary men, and they also knew that they had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13
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But Jesus spoke to them and said: Be strong and courageous, for I am’s; do not be afraid!
Matthew 14:27FearI Am sayings
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These are the words I have spoken to you, so that you may have peace in me. In the world you will have fear; but be strong and courageous, for I have overcome the world.
John 16:33EncouragementPersecution
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For you will be silent at this time, and help and salvation will arise from another place for the Jews, and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to royal dignity for this very reason?
Esther 4:14Calling
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See, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the fiery furnace, and also to deliver us from your hand. And even if he does not want to do so, you should still know that we will not honor your gods, nor will we worship the golden image you have set up.
Daniel 3:17-18Trust
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The LORD is with me, so I will not be afraid; what can people do to me?
Psalm 118:6FearConfirmation verses
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So we can say: “The LORD is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can a person do to me?”
Hebrews 13:6
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The wicked flee, and no one pursues them; but the righteous are strong and courageous like a young lion.
Proverbs 28:1
Bible texts: Luther Bible 1912 (public domain), carefully adapted to modern spelling.
Related Topics
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What the Bible understands by courage
The phrase “Be strong and courageous” appears in the Bible at turning points: when Joshua was to lead the people into the Promised Land, when Solomon was to build the temple, when the disciples experienced a storm on the lake at night. Courage does not arise from self-confidence, but from a promise: “for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Courage is therefore trust in the Bible that comes into motion.
Courage to confess
In the New Testament, the early Christians needed courage above all to speak their faith. Peter and John were arrested and afterward prayed not for safety, but for “boldness” to speak God’s word (Acts 4:29). And Esther risked her life to save her people – with her uncle’s question in her ear, whether she had not become queen for this very time (Esther 4:14). Find out more about Bible verses against fear, Bible verses about strength, and Bible verses for decisions. You can find a short selection in our Bible verses for encouragement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bible verse gives courage?
Joshua 1:9 is very often chosen: “See, I have commanded you to be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
How often does “Do not be afraid” appear in the Bible?
The exhortation “Do not be afraid” or “Do not be afraid” appears in the Bible well over a hundred times – from Abraham to Mary to the shepherds at Christmas.
