What Does the Bible Say About Fathers?
Here are 13 Bible verses about fathers, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #1Psalms 103:13
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
BSBAs a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
- #2Ephesians 6:4
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
BSBFathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
- #3Proverbs 3:11-12
My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
BSBMy son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke; for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.
- #4Colossians 3:21
Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
BSBFathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged.
- #5Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
BSBTrain up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
- #6Proverbs 23:24
The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
BSBThe father of a righteous man will greatly rejoice, and he who fathers a wise son will delight in him.
- #7Malachi 4:6
And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
BSBAnd he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.”
- #8Psalms 127:3-5
Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
BSBChildren are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. He will not be put to shame when he confronts the enemies at the gate.
- #9Proverbs 23:22
Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
BSBListen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
- #10Proverbs 14:26
In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
BSBHe who fears the LORD is secure in confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge.
- #11Joshua 24:15
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
BSBBut if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”
- #12Proverbs 20:7
The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
BSBThe righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.
- #13Exodus 20:12
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
BSBHonor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).