Sacred texts · Bible
30 Bible verses about peace
In the Bible, peace is more than the absence of conflict. The Hebrew word shalom, usually translated “peace,” also carries wholeness, safety and well-being. Jesus sets his peace apart from the world’s: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you,” says John 14:27. So Bible verses about peace speak to the heart, to the tired body and to our relationships.
This page gathers verses about the peace God gives, about rest, and about the peace we build with other people. They are quoted word for word from the King James Version and come from the Selfia app. Read one before you sleep, at the start of a busy day or before a tense conversation. Each one is short enough to carry with you through the day.
The peace God gives: Bible verses about inner peace
These verses describe a peace that doesn’t depend on circumstances. It keeps the heart and mind, it closes the priestly blessing in the book of Numbers, and in the Gospel of John it is the first thing the risen Jesus says to his disciples.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
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.
Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Peace be unto you.
Live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Bible verses about finding rest
The Bible takes tiredness seriously. Jesus invites the heavy laden to come and rest and takes his disciples apart to a quiet place; Elijah hears God not in the fire but in a still small voice. These verses are good to read at the end of the day.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while.
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.
Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.
Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
Be still, and know that I am God.
After the fire a still small voice.
Bible verses about living in peace with others
Peace is also built between people: a soft answer, a simple meal without strife, family living together in unity. These verses can go with you before a difficult talk, at home or at work.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace.
And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid.
How to meditate on these verses about peace
Sit somewhere quiet for a few minutes and read a single verse, slowly, twice. The second time, pair it with your breathing: “Peace I leave with you” as you breathe in, “my peace I give unto you” as you breathe out. Then stay in silence for a moment without trying to think about anything in particular.
If a worry comes back, jot it down for later and return to the verse. Before a tense conversation, you can also reread a verse from the last section and ask yourself what soft answer you could give.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most beautiful Bible verse about peace?
Everyone has their own, but John 14:27 comes up often: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.” Philippians 4:7 speaks of a peace “which passeth all understanding,” and the blessing in Numbers 6:24-26 ends with “give thee peace.” All three work well in a card or a message.
What does shalom mean in the Bible?
Shalom is the Hebrew word English Bibles translate as “peace.” It means more than inner calm: a whole life, safe, in right relationship with God and with others. That is why biblical peace is also about justice and how we live together, not only about a quiet mind.
Why do some Psalm references differ between Bibles?
The King James Version leaves most psalm titles unnumbered, while many French and Hebrew Bibles count the title as verse 1. The same verse can therefore be one number apart: “Be still, and know that I am God” is Psalm 46:10 in the King James Version and 46:11 in the Louis Segond.