Bible verses for graduation

Short verses for a graduation card

1. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

   Jeremiah 29:11

   Thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. First written to exiles in Babylon, it is one of the most-used graduation verses.

2. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

   Joshua 1:9

   God's word to Joshua as he took up a new task: be strong and of a good courage, for the LORD is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

3. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

   Philippians 4:13

   I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

4. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

   Philippians 1:6

   He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it, a fitting line for someone who has finished one stage.

5. 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

   The priestly blessing, a simple blessing to send a graduate on their way.

6. Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.

   Psalm 20:4

   May God grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.

7. But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

   Isaiah 40:31

   They shall run, and not be weary, for the long road after school.

8. And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

   Deuteronomy 31:8

   The LORD doth go before thee, Moses' words to Joshua as he was about to lead Israel into a new land.

9. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

   Isaiah 43:19

   Behold, I will do a new thing, a verse for a new beginning.

Guidance for the road ahead

For a graduate choosing a job, a school, a city or a calling.

1. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

   Proverbs 3:5-6

   Trust the LORD rather than your own understanding, and he shall direct thy paths.

2. A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

   Proverbs 16:9

   A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

3. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

   Psalm 32:8

   I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go.

4. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

   Psalm 37:5

   Commit thy way unto the LORD, and he shall bring it to pass.

5. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

   Proverbs 16:3

   Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

6. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

   Psalm 119:105

   Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, light for one step at a time.

7. And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

   Isaiah 30:21

   This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand or to the left.

8. There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

   Proverbs 19:21

   Many plans in a man's heart, but the counsel of the LORD shall stand.

9. Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

   Psalm 25:4-5

   A prayer for direction: shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

Wisdom and learning

1. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

   Proverbs 4:7

   Wisdom is the principal thing; and with all thy getting get understanding.

2. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

   Proverbs 1:7

   The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.

3. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

   James 1:5

   If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives liberally.

4. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

   Proverbs 2:6

   The LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

5. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

   2 Timothy 2:15

   Study to shew thyself approved, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.

6. As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

   Daniel 1:17

   God gave four young men in Babylon knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom.

7. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

   1 Kings 3:9

   Young King Solomon asks God for an understanding heart rather than riches.

8. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

   Proverbs 3:13-14

   Wisdom is worth more than silver and fine gold.

9. The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

   Proverbs 18:15

   The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; the learning does not stop at graduation.

For a commencement speech or a charge to graduates

Verses about how to live, often quoted at baccalaureate services.

1. He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

   Micah 6:8

   Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God, the whole charge in one verse.

2. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

   Matthew 5:14-16

   Ye are the light of the world: let your light so shine before men.

3. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

   Romans 12:2

   Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

4. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

   Colossians 3:23

   Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, a verse for a first job.

5. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

   1 Timothy 4:12

   Let no man despise thy youth; be an example in word, conversation, charity, spirit, faith and purity.

6. Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

   Ecclesiastes 12:1

   Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.

7. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

   Ecclesiastes 12:13

   The conclusion of the whole matter: fear God, and keep his commandments.

8. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

   Philippians 3:13-14

   Forgetting those things which are behind, I press toward the mark.

9. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

   Matthew 6:33

   Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.

10. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

    Galatians 6:9

    Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap.

11. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

    1 Corinthians 15:58

    Be stedfast, unmoveable, for your labour is not in vain in the Lord.