Introduction
Moving into a new year invites us to look back with gratitude and ahead with confidence. These 20 verses, quoted from the World English Bible, explore five facets: the fresh start God offers, the trust we can place in him for the future, his faithfulness that never changes, how to live each day, and the strength he gives to keep going. They suit an end-of-year prayer or a greeting card.
A Fresh Start Offered by God
1. Isaiah 43:18-19
"Don’t remember the former things, and don’t consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing. It springs out now. Don’t you know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."
God speaks to a people still living in their painful memories: "Don't remember the former things." He announces "a new thing," a way in the wilderness. Looking back with God sets you free, looking back without him locks you in. He is able to bring new life out of nothing. Read all of Isaiah 43.
2. Lamentations 3:22-23
"It is because of Yahweh’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn’t fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness."
Jeremiah writes in the middle of the ruins of Jerusalem, and yet he affirms that God's compassion is "new every morning." His faithfulness is "great." Even after a difficult year, each morning brings what you need to start again, with no need to earn this fresh start. Read all of Lamentations 3.
3. Revelation 21:5
"He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” He said, “Write, for these words of God are faithful and true."
On the throne, the one who reigns declares: "I am making all things new." This is not a partial renovation but a complete work, announced in the final vision of the Bible. God loves to renew, and this promise begins right now in the lives of those who trust in him. Read all of Revelation 21.
4. Philippians 3:13-14
"Brothers, I don’t regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do: forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Paul admits he has not yet taken hold of the goal, but he does "one thing": "forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before." He presses on toward the prize of the high calling. A new year is a chance to get back to it with that same drive. Read all of Philippians 3.
Calm Confidence for the Future
5. Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says Yahweh, “thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future."
This message is addressed to exiles who still have to wait seventy years before returning. God declares that he knows his "thoughts of peace, and not of evil." The promise does not excuse us from patience, but it reminds us that the future is in the hands of a God who has a purpose for his people. Read all of Jeremiah 29.
6. Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
The wise man calls for a choice: "Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding." Then he promises that God "will make your paths straight." Planning is still useful, but trust comes before calculations, especially when the year ahead is uncertain. Read all of Proverbs 3.
7. Psalm 37:5
"Commit your way to Yahweh. Trust also in him, and he will do this:"
The verb "commit" means, literally, to roll onto God the way you unload a burden. David asks us to hand over our plans, our fears and our decisions to him. The second half of the verse is a simple promise: "he will do this." Entrusting is not staying passive, it is letting God get started. Read all of Psalm 37.
8. Romans 8:28
"We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose."
Paul affirms that "all things work together for good for those who love God." He does not say that everything is good, but that God can turn everything to good, including mistakes and trials. So you can look at the year ahead with hope, whatever it brings. Read all of Romans 8.
God's Faithfulness That Never Changes
9. Deuteronomy 31:8
"Yahweh himself is who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged."
Moses speaks to Joshua, who is about to lead the people into an unknown land: "Yahweh himself is who goes before you." God does not merely accompany us, he goes ahead. Every month of the coming year is already known to him, and he is there before us. Read all of Deuteronomy 31.
10. Hebrews 13:8
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
The author of this letter reminds us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Everything around us can change from one year to the next: our circumstances, our relationships, our health. But the one we believe in does not change, and he is our anchor. Read all of Hebrews 13.
11. Psalm 100:5
"For Yahweh is good. His loving kindness endures forever, his faithfulness to all generations."
This psalm of thanksgiving ends with three truths: God is good, his loving kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness lasts "to all generations." Before making resolutions, you can start the year by thanking him for what he has already done. Read all of Psalm 100.
12. 1 Thessalonians 5:24
"He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it."
Paul ends his letter with a certainty: "He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it." The responsibility of holding on does not rest only on our shoulders. God finishes what he has begun, which lightens our resolutions and replaces worry with trust. Read all of 1 Thessalonians 5.
Living Each Day Well
13. Matthew 6:33-34
"But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient."
Jesus gives an order of priorities: "seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness." He adds that we should not be anxious for tomorrow, for "each day's own evil is sufficient." A new year is lived one day at a time, starting with what matters most. Read all of Matthew 6.
14. Psalm 90:12
"So teach us to count our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
Moses prays: "teach us to count our days." He is not asking to live longer, but to live the time given better, "a heart of wisdom." At the start of each year, this prayer helps you choose your priorities and invest your time in what lasts. Read all of Psalm 90.
15. Psalm 65:11
"You crown the year with your bounty. Your carts overflow with abundance."
The psalmist celebrates the harvests and declares to God: "You crown the year with your bounty." He reminds us that harvests, life and blessings come from him. This verse invites us to hope for a year crowned with good things, and to recognize them as the months go by. Read all of Psalm 65.
16. Psalm 118:24
"This is the day that Yahweh has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!"
This psalm of praise proclaims: "This is the day that Yahweh has made." The present day is a gift from God, not just a box to check. The invitation is simple: to "rejoice and be glad in it," from the first morning of the year and every day after. Read all of Psalm 118.
Strength to Keep Going All Year
17. Isaiah 40:31
"but those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint."
Isaiah speaks to a people worn out by exile. He promises that those who wait for Yahweh "will renew their strength" and "mount up with wings like eagles." Lasting energy does not come from willpower alone, but from confident waiting on the one who never grows weary. Read all of Isaiah 40.
18. Isaiah 41:10
"Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness."
God speaks to Israel in personal terms: "Don't you be afraid, for I am with you." He adds three commitments: "I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you." Fear of the year ahead loses its grip in front of a God who promises his presence. Read all of Isaiah 41.
19. Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."
Paul writes from prison, after learning to live in plenty as well as in need. His declaration: "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." It is not a success slogan but a strength to endure and persevere in every circumstance of life. Read all of Philippians 4.
20. 2 Corinthians 9:8
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work."
Paul writes to believers who hesitate to give. He reassures them: "God is able to make all grace abound to you." He gives enough for their needs and abundance for "every good work." He equips us to serve and to bless, year after year. Read all of 2 Corinthians 9.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bible verse should I choose for the new year?
Among the most popular are Lamentations 3:22-23 (compassion new every morning), Isaiah 43:19 (a new thing), Jeremiah 29:11 (thoughts of peace) and Proverbs 3:5-6 (trust). The best choice is the one that truly speaks to what you are going through right now, and that you will want to reread often.
Which verse should I use to wish someone a happy new year?
Numbers 6:24-26 is a very fitting blessing, with these words: "Yahweh bless you, and keep you." You can also write Psalm 65:11, "You crown the year with your bounty," Romans 15:13 or Isaiah 41:10, depending on the person's situation.
How do I start the year with God?
Thank God for the year that has passed, entrust your plans and fears to him, then choose a passage to read every day. It is more helpful to keep a small regular appointment with him than to pile up big resolutions that run out of steam by February.
to take notes and ask questions.