The Bible teaches that bitterness can poison the soul. It clouds judgment and prevents healing. Letting go of resentment frees you to find peace. Forgiveness breaks the chains of past hurts. By releasing bitterness, you open your heart to God’s grace. This choice leads to inner strength and renewed purpose.
Below is our full list of bible verses on bitterness (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Bitterness
Hebrews 12:15
“15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”
Related Themes: Arguing Letting Go Morals Resentment
Ephesians 4:31
“31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”
Related Themes: Letting Go Gossip Criticism
Acts 8:23
“23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.”
Ephesians 4:31-32
“31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Related Themes: Letting Go Gossip Criticism
Ephesians 4:26
“26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”
Related Themes: Frustration Anger Letting Go
Hebrews 12:14-15
“14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”
Related Themes: Holiness Telling The Truth Peace Arguing
Job 10:1
“1 My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.”
Related Themes: Complaining
Proverbs 14:10
“10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.”
Related Themes: Sharing
Matthew 6:14-15
“14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Forgiveness
Proverbs 17:25
“25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.”
Job 7:11
“11 Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.”
Job 21:25
“25 And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.”
Proverbs 10:12
“12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.”
Related Themes: Love Hate Forgiveness Strife
Mark 11:25
“25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
Related Themes: Forgiveness Trespassing Unforgiveness Revenge
Colossians 3:8
“8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.”
Related Themes: Gossip Frustration Cursing Anger
Proverbs 15:1
“1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
Ezekiel 3:14
“14 So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.”
Colossians 3:13
“13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Forgiveness Criticism Resolving Conflict
Isaiah 38:17
“17 Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.”
Related Themes: Stealing Discipline
James 1:19-20
“19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”
Related Themes: Criticism Frustration Patience Frustration
1 John 1:9
“9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Related Themes: Repentance Forgiveness Lust Attitude
Ephesians 4:32
“32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Forgiveness Kindness Reconciliation
Romans 12:2
“2 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.”
Related Themes: Complaining Lust Creativity Attitude Business
1 Samuel 1:10
“10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.”
1 Samuel 15:32
“32 Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.”
Ezekiel 27:31
“31 And they shall make themselves utterly bald for thee, and gird them with sackcloth, and they shall weep for thee with bitterness of heart and bitter wailing.”
Job 9:18
“18 He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.”
Ecclesiastes 7:9
“9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.”
Related Themes: Patience Frustration Anger Letting Go
Romans 12:17-21
“17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Related Themes: Revenge Arguing Persecution Reputation
