Repentance is turning around: a change of mind that becomes a change of direction, away from sin and toward God. Scripture treats it not as a one-time door but as the daily posture of the believer, and it promises that the Lord meets the returning sinner with mercy, not contempt. These passages show what true repentance is and what it finds.
19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
In the original: μετανοέω metanoeō G3340 — From G3326 and G3539; to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent.
See also: Isaiah 44:22 · Acts 2:38 · Isaiah 43:25 · Isaiah 1:16
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
See also: Psalms 32:5 · Proverbs 28:13 · Jeremiah 33:8 · Psalms 51:2
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. which...: Heb. upon whom my name is called
In the original: שׁוּב shûb H7725 — A primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat ; often adverbially again:
See also: Lamentations 3:40 · Isaiah 55:6 · James 4:9 · Proverbs 28:13
1 [To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.] Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
In the original: חטא châṭâ' H2398 — A primitive root; properly to miss ; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin ; by inference to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn: - bear the blame, cleanse, commit [sin], by fa
See also: Acts 3:19 · Isaiah 44:22 · Isaiah 43:25 · Psalms 51:9
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. right: or, constant 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
In the original: שׁוּב shûb H7725 — A primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat ; often adverbially again:
See also: Ezekiel 11:19 · 2 Corinthians 5:17 · Ephesians 4:22 · Matthew 5:8
6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. the unrighteous...: Heb. the man of iniquity abundantly...: Heb. multiply to pardon
In the original: שׁוּב shûb H7725 — A primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat ; often adverbially again:
See also: Jeremiah 29:12 · Psalms 145:18 · Isaiah 45:19 · Psalms 32:6
12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
In the original: שׁוּב shûb H7725 — A primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat ; often adverbially again:
See also: James 4:8 · Isaiah 55:6 · Hosea 12:6 · 2 Chronicles 7:13
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
In the original: μετανοέω metanoeō G3340 — From G3326 and G3539; to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent.
See also: Acts 22:16 · Mark 16:16 · Acts 8:12 · Luke 24:47
9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. after...: or, according to God 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
In the original: μετάνοια metanoia G3341 — From G3340; (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication reversal (of [another's] decision): - repentance.
See also: Acts 3:19 · Acts 11:18 · 2 Timothy 2:25 · 2 Samuel 12:13
31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. 32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
In the original: μετάνοια metanoia G3341 — From G3340; (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication reversal (of [another's] decision): - repentance.
See also: Luke 19:10 · Luke 15:10 · 1 Timothy 1:15 · Luke 15:7
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
In the original: μετανοέω metanoeō G3340 — From G3326 and G3539; to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent.
See also: Luke 15:10 · Luke 5:32 · Luke 15:32 · Matthew 18:13
13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
See also: 1 John 1:8 · Psalms 32:3 · Job 31:33 · Luke 15:18
30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. yourselves: or, others 31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye. yourselves: or, others
In the original: שׁוּב shûb H7725 — A primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat ; often adverbially again:
See also: 2 Peter 3:9 · Ezekiel 18:23 · Ezekiel 33:11 · Psalms 51:10
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
In the original: μετανοέω metanoeō G3340 — From G3326 and G3539; to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent.
See also: Matthew 3:2 · Mark 1:14 · Acts 2:38 · Luke 5:32
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
In the original: μετάνοια metanoia G3341 — From G3340; (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication reversal (of [another's] decision): - repentance.
See also: 1 Timothy 2:4 · Romans 2:4 · Psalms 86:15 · Habakkuk 2:3