10 Bible Verses About Confession
The confession of sins—the act of admitting and recognizing our wrongdoings—is something the Church encourages, at least once a year, as taught in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Join Hozana in exploring 10 Bible passages and verses about confessing our faults.
10 Biblical Teachings on Confession
Leviticus 5:1-5
"If anyone sins because they do not speak up when they hear a public charge to testify regarding something they have seen or learned about, they will be held responsible... When anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned."Numbers 21:7
"The people came to Moses and said, 'We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.' So Moses prayed for the people."Joshua 7:19-21
Joshua confronts Achan about his sin, and Achan confesses: "It is true! I have sinned against the Lord... I saw... I coveted... I took... They are hidden in the ground inside my tent."1 Samuel 7:5-6
"Samuel said, 'Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the Lord for you.'... They fasted and confessed, 'We have sinned against the Lord.'"1 Samuel 15:24-25
Saul admits to Samuel: "I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command... I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them. Now I beg you, forgive my sin."Nehemiah 1:5-7
Nehemiah’s prayer of confession: "I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you."Matthew 3:5-6
"People went out to [John] from Jerusalem and all Judea... Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River."Mark 1:4-5
"John preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins... Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him."Luke 5:17-20
Jesus forgives a paralyzed man after seeing his friends’ faith: "Friend, your sins are forgiven."James 5:15-16
"The prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well... Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."
With Hozana, Learn to Acknowledge Our Sins
Let us learn to recognize our mistakes and sins, tasting God’s mercy—especially through the sacrament of reconciliation.
Hozana offers prayer communities to deepen this practice, such as:
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Confession
What is the prayer for confessing sins?
During confession (also called the Sacrament of Reconciliation), we are encouraged to pray the Act of Contrition:
"O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You, my God, Who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen."
Which psalm is for penance?
Several psalms are known as "penitential psalms". Among them, Psalm 38 (37) gives us words to acknowledge our sinfulness and beg for God’s mercy:
"I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin." (Psalm 38:18)
What Bible verse speaks of God’s mercy?
A powerful passage about God’s infinite mercy is:
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2)
