Bible verses about fathers
Psalm 103:13, Ephesians 6:4 and Proverbs 14:26 are three of the main Bible verses about fathers. They show a father's compassion as a picture of God, the way a father is told to treat his kids, and the safe place a reverent father gives them. All twelve verses 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.Psalm 103:13
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
In the World English Bible
Like a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
Compassion from God is compared to a father's toward his kids. The comparison assumes a good father.
2.Ephesians 6:4
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
In the World English Bible
You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Short advice to fathers: don't push your kids to anger, raise them with patient teaching.
3.Proverbs 14:26
In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
In the World English Bible
In the fear of the LORD is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children.
Reverence as a safe place, in one line, with a mention of the children who benefit.
4.Luke 15:20
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
In the World English Bible
“He arose and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him.
The father in Jesus' story sees his son far off and runs. The most famous father in the Bible.
5.Proverbs 3:11-12
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
In the World English Bible
My son, don’t despise the LORD’s discipline, neither be weary of his correction; for whom the LORD loves, he corrects, even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.
Correction compared with a father's care for a child he loves. Hard to hear, though it frames discipline as love.
6.Exodus 20:12
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
In the World English Bible
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
Honor for both parents, from the Ten Commandments. Short and plain.
7.Proverbs 1:8
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
In the World English Bible
My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching;
Teacher urges a son to listen to his father's instruction.
8.Psalm 68:5
A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
In the World English Bible
A father of the fatherless, and a defender of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
God is described as a father to children who have none. Comfort for people who grew up without one.
9.Genesis 18:19
For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
In the World English Bible
For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that the LORD may bring on Abraham that which he has spoken of him.”
Abraham is described as someone who will teach his household to live rightly, according to this verse.
10.Proverbs 13:22
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
In the World English Bible
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.
Leaving something for the grandchildren is treated as wise. It can be money or a good name.
11.1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
In the World English Bible
As you know, we exhorted, comforted, and implored every one of you, as a father does his own children, to the end that you should walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory.
Paul compares his care of the church to a father with his children: encouraging, comforting, urging.
12.Malachi 4:6
And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
In the World English Bible
He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
Hearts of fathers and children turn toward each other in this prophet's picture of a mended home.
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Read today's verseQuestions
What is a good Bible verse about fathers?
Psalm 103:13 is a good place to start. Compassion from God is compared to a father's toward his kids. The comparison assumes a good father.
What does the Bible say about being a good father?
Ephesians 6:4 asks fathers not to provoke children and to raise them with care. 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 shows a father as an encourager, and Proverbs 3:11-12 pairs correction with love. Psalm 103:13 uses a father's compassion as a picture of God.
Which verse works for Father's Day?
Proverbs 14:26 and Proverbs 13:22 are short and easy to print on a card. Psalm 103:13 works if the card is about compassion. For a story, Luke 15:20 shows a father running to meet his son.
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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.