What does the Bible say about deceased loved ones?

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

• 1 John 4:1

  Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

• John 14:6

  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.

• Galatians 5:19-26

  [19] Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, [20] idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, [21] envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. [24] Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. [25] If we live by the Spirit, let's also walk by the Spirit. [26] Let's not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.

• Ecclesiastes 9:5-6

  [5] For the living know that they will die, but the dead don't know anything, neither do they have any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. [6] Also their love, their hatred, and their envy has perished long ago; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.

• Psalms 23:1-6

  [1] > Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. [3] He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. [4] Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. [5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. [6] Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell in Yahweh's house forever.

• John 3:16

  For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

• Ecclesiastes 9:5

  For the living know that they will die, but the dead don't know anything, neither do they have any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

• James 1:1-27

  [1] James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are in the Dispersion: Greetings. [2] Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, [3] knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. [4] Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. [5] But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him. [6] But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. [7] For let that man not think that he will receive anything from the Lord. [8] He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. [9] But let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position; [10] and the rich, in that he is made humble, because like the flower in the grass, he will pass away. [11] For the sun arises with the scorching wind, and withers the grass, and the flower in it falls, and the beauty of its appearance perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in his pursuits. [12] Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him. [13] Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God can't be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. [14] But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. [15] Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death. [16] Don't be deceived, my beloved brothers. [17] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow. [18] Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. [19] So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; [20] for the anger of man doesn't produce the righteousness of God. [21] Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. [22] But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves. [23] For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man beholding his natural face in a mirror; [24] for he sees himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. [25] But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of freedom, and continues, not being a hearer who forgets but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does. [26] If anyone among you thinks himself to be religious while he doesn't bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this man's religion is worthless. [27] Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

• Matthew 5:16

  Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

• Leviticus 19:31

  "'Don't turn to those who are mediums, nor to the wizards. Don't seek them out, to be defiled by them. I am Yahweh your God.

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