Introduction
In Japan, March and April are the season of job transfers: people say goodbye at a farewell party (sōbetsukai), sign a message book (yosegaki), move house or retire. Churches also pray for those who are leaving. These 20 verses, quoted from the World English Bible, form four themes: God's keeping, prayer across the distance, thanksgiving and a new beginning. Use them in a farewell message or a prayer.
God's Keeping Goes With You
1. Psalm 121:8
"Yahweh will keep your going out and your coming in, from this time forward, and forever more."
The psalmist promises that Yahweh will keep your going out and your coming in, from this time forward and forever. For the one leaving for a new place and for those who stay, God's keeping does not change. Even apart, we are all kept by the same God. Read all of Psalm 121.
2. Psalm 139:9-10
"If I take the wings of the dawn, and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will hold me."
The psalmist says that even if he took the wings of the dawn and settled in the uttermost parts of the sea, God's hand would lead him there too. A transfer or a move does not take you away from God. In an unfamiliar town, God is already there. Read all of Psalm 139.
3. Psalm 91:11
"For he will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways."
The psalmist says God puts his angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways. On the commute, in an unfamiliar city, on a journey, God watches. It is not a guarantee of no danger but a word of encouragement for the one being sent off. Read all of Psalm 91.
4. Psalm 16:8
"I have set Yahweh always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved."
The psalmist says he has set Yahweh always before him and will not be moved, because God is at his right hand. When your surroundings change greatly and everything feels new, keeping God before you steadies the heart. In a new job or school, remember this verse. Read all of Psalm 16.
5. Psalm 32:8
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you."
God promises: I will instruct you and teach you the way you shall go, with my eye on you. In a new country or town, when you hesitate over which path to take, God guides. He sees each decision you make in prayer, and he does not hurry you. Read all of Psalm 32.
Joined in Prayer Across the Distance
6. 2 Timothy 1:4
"longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy;"
Paul writes to Timothy that he remembers his tears and longs to see him so that he may be filled with joy. The tears of a goodbye show deep love. Being able to long to meet again is a gift from God. Put your wish to meet again in your farewell message. Read all of 2 Timothy 1.
7. Romans 1:11-12
"For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established; that is, that I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine."
Paul writes to the Christians in Rome that he longs to see them so that they may be encouraged together by each other's faith. While you are apart, letters, calls and messages can encourage. Afterward, keep praying for them, and let them pray for you too. Read all of Romans 1.
8. Philippians 1:7
"It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace."
Paul writes that he has the Philippians in his heart, all partakers with him of grace. Even far away, we keep someone in our heart. In a farewell speech or message, saying I carry you in my heart becomes a warm support with this verse. Read all of Philippians 1.
9. 1 Thessalonians 3:12
"May the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you,"
Paul prays that the Lord would make us increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all. Separation tests our bonds. For those who leave and those who stay, pray that love will keep growing in new settings, and that each remains a support to the other. Read all of 1 Thessalonians 3.
10. Acts 20:32
"Now, brothers, I entrust you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified."
On leaving the elders of Ephesus, Paul entrusts them to God and to the word of his grace. When you send someone off, this verse becomes a prayer. At the moment of goodbye, say a short prayer that places this person in God's hands, and mean it. Read all of Acts 20.
Giving Thanks for Encounters
11. Philippians 1:3
"I thank my God whenever I remember you,"
Paul writes that he thanks his God whenever he remembers his friends. A farewell is a time to recall the days spent together and thank God. Say thank you to your colleagues, neighbors and church friends. This is a short, warm verse for a message book. Read all of Philippians 1.
12. Romans 1:8
"First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world."
Paul thanks God for the faith of the Christians in Rome, proclaimed throughout the whole world. Finding what is good in someone and telling them is a duty of farewell. Add to your message one specific thing that you noticed, for which you thank the person who is leaving. Read all of Romans 1.
13. Ephesians 1:16
"don’t cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers,"
Paul writes that he does not cease to give thanks for his friends, mentioning them in his prayers. After a separation, thinking of someone in prayer every day is a quiet way of sending them your love. End your farewell speech by saying: I am praying for you. Read all of Ephesians 1.
14. Hebrews 6:10
"For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them."
Hebrews says God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the labor of love you showed. God remembers the long years of work of someone leaving a post, even the efforts no one noticed. A verse to thank and recognize a colleague or friend who is retiring. Read all of Hebrews 6.
15. Psalm 103:2
"Praise Yahweh, my soul, and don’t forget all his benefits,"
The psalmist tells himself to praise Yahweh and not forget his benefits. In a life made of meetings and goodbyes, there is a time to count those meetings as graces. At the farewell, quietly thank God for meeting this person and for the days shared. Read all of Psalm 103.
Blessing a New Beginning
16. 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."
Proverbs invites us to trust in Yahweh with all our heart and acknowledge him in all our ways. A transfer or retirement brings worries. If you decided in prayer, trust that God will make your paths straight as you go, step by step, without hurry. Read all of Proverbs 3.
17. Philippians 1:6
"being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Paul is confident that the one who began a good work in us will complete it. Even in another place, God's work continues. A change of setting does not interrupt what he began in you. It is his faithfulness, not ours. This word encourages the one being sent off. Read all of Philippians 1.
18. Psalm 90:17
"Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us. Establish the work of our hands for us. Yes, establish the work of our hands."
The psalmist prays: let the favor of the Lord our God be on us, establish the work of our hands. Whether finishing a long career or starting a new one, we can ask for the work of our hands to be established before God. This prayer can also bless a retirement. Read all of Psalm 90.
19. Psalm 92:14
"They will still produce fruit in old age. They will be full of sap and green,"
The psalmist sings that the righteous still produce fruit in old age, full of sap and green. Retirement is not an ending but the beginning of a new season of fruit. In family, church or neighborhood, we can still share God's grace. Give this verse to someone reaching retirement age. Read all of Psalm 92.
20. Colossians 3:23
"And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,"
Paul asks us to work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. In a new job or school, even when no one is watching, you can serve God wherever you go. Added to a farewell note, this verse blesses the walk in a new place. Read all of Colossians 3.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I write a Bible verse in a farewell message book?
Of course. Short verses such as Psalm 121:8 or Philippians 1:3 fit well. If the person is not a Christian, keep it light: one line saying you support their new start is enough, without pressing.
What should I do about church when I move for work?
Talk to your pastor, who may introduce you to a church near your new home. Some churches hold a farewell service or a time of prayer. Even after you leave, keep praying with your friends from the old church.
What should I read if I worry about retirement?
Psalm 92:14, Psalm 90:17 and Proverbs 3:5-6 are good choices. Retirement is also the start of new service. Talk with your family and pastor, and prepare for the future step by step in prayer.