Bible verses about courage
Joshua 1:9, Psalm 31:24 and 1 Corinthians 16:13 are the heart of what the Bible says about courage. Most of these verses were spoken to people facing something big, and they pair the call to be brave with a reason. All twelve are below in full.
Free to read, no account. Last updated November 9, 2026. Scripture: King James Version and World English Bible (public domain).
1.Joshua 1:9
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.
In the World English Bible
Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Spoken to a new leader facing a huge task. The reason for courage is that God goes with him.
2.Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
In the World English Bible
Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them, for the LORD your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.”
Moses to a people about to go on without him. He tells them God will not leave them.
3.Psalm 31:24
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
In the World English Bible
Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the LORD.
Written for people who wait and hope. It says to be strong in heart, and that the Lord is the one who strengthens it.
4.1 Corinthians 16:13
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
In the World English Bible
Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong!
Paul wraps up a long letter with four quick commands. Stay awake, stand firm, be brave, be strong.
5.Joshua 1:6
Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
In the World English Bible
“Be strong and courageous; for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
God's first word to Joshua after Moses died. He is told to be strong, and what the work ahead will be.
6.Psalm 27:14
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
In the World English Bible
Wait for the LORD. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the LORD.
This psalm ends by telling you to wait on the Lord and take heart. Courage and patience show up together.
7.1 Chronicles 28:20
And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
In the World English Bible
David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Don’t be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you, until all the work for the service of the LORD’s house is finished.
David hands the temple plans to Solomon and tells him to just get to work. God will stay with him until it's done.
8.Esther 4:14
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
In the World English Bible
For if you remain silent now, then relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Who knows if you haven’t come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Mordecai tells Esther that her moment may be the reason she's where she is. She had a real risk to weigh.
9.Daniel 3:17-18
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
In the World English Bible
If it happens, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.”
Three men face a furnace and say they will not bow, whatever happens. Courage here does not depend on a good outcome.
10.Acts 4:29-31
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
In the World English Bible
Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.” When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Threatened by the authorities, the early church prayed for boldness. The place shook, and they spoke without fear.
11.Hebrews 13:6
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
In the World English Bible
So that with good courage we say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
The writer picks up an old psalm line and says you can speak with confidence about the Lord as your helper.
12.2 Chronicles 15:7
Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.
In the World English Bible
But you be strong! Don’t let your hands be slack, for your work will be rewarded.”
A prophet tells a king to keep going and not let his hands go slack. The work will be rewarded.
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Read today's verseQuestions
What is a good Bible verse about courage?
Joshua 1:9 is a good place to start. Spoken to a new leader facing a huge task. The reason for courage is that God goes with him.
What does the Bible say about being brave when you're afraid?
Courage in the Bible usually shows up next to fear, not instead of it. Joshua 1:9 tells Joshua to be brave and ties it to God being with him. Psalm 27:14 pairs taking heart with waiting on the Lord.
Who are examples of courage in the Bible?
Esther (Esther 4:14), Daniel's three friends (Daniel 3:17-18) and the early church (Acts 4:29-31) are well known. Each faced a real threat. None of them were sure of the outcome.
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Made by Lamplight, a small Sarvixo product. Notes on each verse are ours, written with AI tools and checked against the passage. The verses are printed exactly as published.