Bible verses by topic
Love, hope and prayer: find Bible passages and read the chapters they come from.
English — World English Bible
Love
John 13 connects love between disciples with a commandment of Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul describes patience and kindness within a discussion of gifts and community life.
John 13:34–35
Read the full chapter34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another.
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
1 Corinthians 13:4–7
Read the full chapter4 Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud,
5 doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil;
6 doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
Hope
Psalm 42 voices discouragement and waiting for God. Romans 15 connects hope with a blessing addressed to its readers. These passages do not erase the difficulties described in their context.
Psalms 42:5
Read the full chapter5 Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him for the saving help of his presence.
Romans 15:13
Read the full chapter13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Matthew 6 places prayer within teaching about sincerity and offers a model prayer. Philippians 4 brings prayer and thanksgiving into a discussion of everyday concerns.
Matthew 6:9–13
Read the full chapter9 Pray like this: “‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
10 Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.
13 Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’
Philippians 4:6–7
Read the full chapter6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
How to use this selection
These topics are starting points, not an exhaustive list. The introductions are editorial reading notes; quotations follow the named edition. Read the chapter to identify who is speaking, to whom and in what situation.