“And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.”
— Exodus 6:9
Discouragement shows up in the Bible wearing work clothes — Ezra's rebuilders with hands that hang down, Timothy's stomach troubles and timidity. The verses below are God's repeated "strengthen ye the weak hands." The fifteen verses below are the Bible's direct address to that situation, shown in full KJV text from Exodus 6:9 to Philippians 4:13.
Quick answer: The best-known verse about discouragement here is Exodus 6:9: "And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage." Numbers 21:4 follows close behind: "And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way." Both are public-domain translations, shown in full on the cards below with a modern-English toggle.
And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.
Moses spoke so to the children of Israel, but they didn’t listen to Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.
Exodus 6:9
And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.
They traveled from Mount Hor by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. The soul of the people was very discouraged because of the journey.
Numbers 21:4
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the souls of all the people were grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters; but David strengthened himself in Yahweh his God.
1 Samuel 30:6
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? The everlasting God, Yahweh, the Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t faint. He isn’t weary. His understanding is unsearchable.
Isaiah 40:28
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
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 40:31
He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
He will not fail nor be discouraged, until he has set justice on the earth, and the islands wait for his law.”
Isaiah 42:4
Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have continued with me now three days and have nothing to eat. I don’t want to send them away fasting, or they might faint on the way.”
Matthew 15:32
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we don’t faint.
2 Corinthians 4:1
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
Therefore we don’t faint, but though our outward person is decaying, yet our inward person is renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:16
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season if we don’t give up.
Galatians 6:9
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don’t grow weary, fainting in your souls.
Hebrews 12:3
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
Therefore lift up the hands that hang down and the feeble knees,
Hebrews 12:12
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Wait for Yahweh. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for Yahweh.
Psalms 27:14
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
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.
Psalms 42:5
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
These verses are read in the middle of the feeling — not after it has been explained away. That is their design: discouragement is named honestly in Scripture before it is redirected, and reading the name is usually the relief. Many readers keep one verse visible during the day and return to the list at night; others read all fifteen slowly, once, and then sit with the one that moved.
Each verse card shows the King James text with a one-tap switch to the World English Bible for modern wording — useful when an archaic phrase ("cast down," "disquieted") gets between you and the meaning. Copy the verse that fits today; the list keeps well and reads differently in different weeks, which is the point.
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