Bible Verses About Success

Scripture redefines success around faithfulness, not visibility. These verses about success orient ambition toward what actually lasts.

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” — Psalm 1:1-3 (KJV)

Like a tree planted by the rivers of water, whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The image is of a root system, which is slow and invisible.

“Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.” — Jeremiah 9:23-24 (KJV)

Let not the wise glory in his wisdom, nor the mighty in his might, nor the rich in his riches. Three conventional measures of success are ruled out in one sentence.

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” — Matthew 16:26 (KJV)

What is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? The accounting language is deliberate — it is a question about a bad trade.

“Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” — Ecclesiastes 2:11 (KJV)

I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and behold, all was vanity. Written in the voice of a king who had denied himself nothing.

“Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” — Psalm 127:1 (KJV)

Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it. The labour is real; the verse questions what it rests on.

“The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.” — Proverbs 21:5 (KJV)

The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness, but of every one that is hasty only to want. Planning is contrasted with speed rather than with laziness.

“And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.” — Genesis 39:2-3 (KJV)

The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man — written while he was a slave in a foreign house. The prosperity is stated before his circumstances improve.

“Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.” — 1 Chronicles 22:13 (KJV)

Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes — David's charge to Solomon before the temple was built. The condition precedes the promise.

“The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” — Proverbs 10:22 (KJV)

The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. The second clause distinguishes it from wealth acquired another way.

“And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” — Luke 12:16-21 (KJV)

The rich fool builds bigger barns and dies that night — the only person Jesus calls a fool by name. His plan was financially sound.

“Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” — James 4:13-15 (KJV)

Ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live and do this or that. Written against confident business planning stated a year ahead.

“And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.” — 2 Chronicles 26:5 (KJV)

As long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper — said of Uzziah, whose story then turns on pride. The clause as long as carries the whole account.

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” — Proverbs 22:1 (KJV)

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. Reputation is priced above capital.

“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” — Psalm 75:6-7 (KJV)

Promotion cometh neither from the east nor from the west, but God is the judge: he putteth down one and setteth up another. Advancement is described as adjudicated.

“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” — Proverbs 16:18 (KJV)

Pride goeth before destruction — placed here because success is where the book expects pride to arrive. The warning is aimed at the winner.

“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” — Matthew 25:21 (KJV)

Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things. The commendation is for faithfulness with a small amount.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about success?

The 16 passages gathered on this page are the ones readers turn to most on success: Psalm 1:1-3, Jeremiah 9:23-24, Matthew 16:26, Ecclesiastes 2:11, Psalm 127:1, Proverbs 21:5, Genesis 39:2-3, 1 Chronicles 22:13, Proverbs 10:22, Luke 12:16-21, James 4:13-15, 2 Chronicles 26:5, Proverbs…

What is a good Bible verse about success?

Psalm 1:1-3 is the passage most often quoted on success, with Jeremiah 9:23-24 and Matthew 16:26 close behind. Which one helps depends on whether you need reassurance, instruction or simply company.

Where can I read these success verses?

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