Bible verses about success
Bible verses about success include Joshua 1:8, which links success to keeping God's word close, Psalm 1:1-3, which pictures a person as a tree planted by water, and Mark 8:36, where Jesus asks what gaining the world is worth. The Bible has mixed and honest things to say about winning. All twelve are below.
Free to read, no account. Last updated November 9, 2026. Scripture: King James Version and World English Bible (public domain).
1.Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
In the World English Bible
This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.
Instructions to a new leader: keep the book of the law on your lips, think on it, do it. Success is linked to following it.
2.Psalm 1:1-3
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.
In the World English Bible
Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the LORD’s law. On his law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that produces its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.
A tree planted by water is the picture. The person who loves God's teaching is described as fruitful and steady.
3.Mark 8:36
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
In the World English Bible
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?
Jesus asks the ambitious what winning is worth if it costs a person everything else. Worth reading before chasing a title.
4.Psalm 127:1
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.
In the World English Bible
Unless the LORD builds the house, they who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.
Unless the Lord builds the house, builders work for nothing. The verse is about getting the foundation right before the effort.
5.Proverbs 24:3-4
Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
In the World English Bible
Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.
Houses get built with wisdom and filled with good things through knowledge. Good for anyone starting a company or a household.
6.Ecclesiastes 9:11
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
In the World English Bible
I returned and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.
The Teacher notes that the fastest doesn't always win. Time and chance matter. An honest line for when hard work didn't pay off.
7.Jeremiah 9:23-24
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.
In the World English Bible
The LORD says, “Don’t let the wise man glory in his wisdom. Don’t let the mighty man glory in his might. Don’t let the rich man glory in his riches. But let him who glories glory in this, that he has understanding, and knows me, that I am the LORD who exercises loving kindness, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in these things,” says the LORD.
Don't boast about wisdom, strength or wealth. If you want to boast, boast about knowing God. That redefines winning.
8.Proverbs 15:22
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
In the World English Bible
Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
Plans fail with no counsel and go well with many advisers. Success is shown as a team thing.
9.Deuteronomy 8:18
But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
In the World English Bible
But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as it is today.
Moses reminds the people that the power to build wealth comes from God. A check on thinking you did it all yourself.
10.Proverbs 10:4
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
In the World English Bible
He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth.
Lazy hands bring poverty and hard-working hands bring wealth. Plain talk about effort.
11.Matthew 25:21
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.
In the World English Bible
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
In a story about servants given money to manage, the master praises the faithful one. Faithful is the word used, not rich.
12.1 Kings 2:3
And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:
In the World English Bible
and keep the instruction of the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, and his testimonies, according to that which is written in the law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn yourself.
David's deathbed advice to Solomon: keep God's ways, and he links that to doing well in whatever Solomon turns to.
Free
Get one verse every morning
Today's verse, a short reflection and a prayer. Free, no account.
Read today's verseQuestions
What is a good Bible verse about success?
Joshua 1:8 is a good place to start. Instructions to a new leader: keep the book of the law on your lips, think on it, do it. Success is linked to following it.
Does the Bible say God wants me to be successful?
Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:1-3 connect doing well with staying close to God's word. Ecclesiastes 9:11 admits the race does not always go to the fast. The Bible holds both ideas and never gives a formula.
What does the Bible say about ambition?
Proverbs 24:3-4 praises building with wisdom. Mark 8:36 asks what a person gains by winning everything and losing themselves. In 1 Thessalonians 4:11 Paul talks about making it your goal to live quietly and work with your hands.
Related topics
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.