Bible Verses About Peace

In a restless world, Scripture offers a peace the world cannot give. These verses about peace settle the heart in God's care.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33 (KJV)

In the world ye shall have tribulation — the promise of peace is issued together with a guarantee of trouble. Both halves are said in the same breath, hours before the arrest.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” — Romans 5:1 (KJV)

Being justified by faith, we have peace with God — peace here is a legal state before it is a feeling. The war being ended is the reader's own.

“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” — Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)

The priestly blessing spoken over Israel ends on peace, after keeping and grace. It was to be said aloud over the people, not merely wished.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” — Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

The Prince of Peace appears in a list of throne names given to a child. The chapter opens in a region under military occupation.

“Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” — Psalm 34:14 (KJV)

Seek peace and pursue it — two verbs of effort, which concedes that peace does not settle on its own. Pursuing is a hunting word.

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” — Matthew 5:9 (KJV)

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Making, not merely keeping, is the activity commended.

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” — Romans 12:18 (KJV)

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Two qualifications concede that it is not always achievable from one side.

“For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;” — Ephesians 2:14 (KJV)

For he is our peace, who hath made both one and broken down the middle wall of partition. Written about Jew and Gentile in one congregation, an actual social wall.

“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” — Psalm 119:165 (KJV)

Great peace have they which love thy law, and nothing shall offend them. Peace is tied to what a person loves rather than to their circumstances.

“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” — Isaiah 32:17 (KJV)

The work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect quietness and assurance for ever. Peace is described as an output of conduct.

“Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.” — 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (KJV)

The Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means — a benediction to an anxious church. Always and by all means widen it deliberately.

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” — Hebrews 12:14 (KJV)

Follow peace with all men, and holiness — the two are commanded together rather than traded off. Following again implies pursuit.

“Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” — Psalm 85:10 (KJV)

Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Four abstractions are personified as meeting, which is why the line is quoted at reconciliations.

“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” — Romans 14:19 (KJV)

Follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. Written to settle a dispute over food and holy days.

“O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:” — Isaiah 48:18 (KJV)

O that thou hadst hearkened; then had thy peace been as a river. It is a lament for a peace that did not happen, which is unusual.

“When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” — Proverbs 16:7 (KJV)

When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Peace is described as arriving indirectly.

Carry these verses with you

Save and revisit these verses anytime with Quiethaven — read the whole Bible offline, get a verse of the day on your lock screen, and turn reading into prayer.

Keep Scripture close — free on iPhone.

Download on the App Store

More verses by topic

From the blog

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about peace?

The 16 passages gathered on this page are the ones readers turn to most on peace: John 16:33, Romans 5:1, Numbers 6:24-26, Isaiah 9:6, Psalm 34:14, Matthew 5:9, Romans 12:18, Ephesians 2:14, Psalm 119:165, Isaiah 32:17, 2 Thessalonians 3:16, Hebrews 12:14, Psalm 85:10, Romans 14:19…

What is a good Bible verse about peace?

John 16:33 is the passage most often quoted on peace, with Romans 5:1 and Numbers 6:24-26 close behind. Which one helps depends on whether you need reassurance, instruction or simply company.

Where can I read these peace verses?

You can read all of these verses about peace — and the whole Bible, offline, in your preferred translation — free in the Quiethaven app for iPhone.