BibleVerse
Bible verses for the season

Bible Verses for Back to School

“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.”

— Joshua 1:8

The Bible's student verses are older than any syllabus and sharper than most: "a wise man will hear, and will increase learning," plus the working texts — whatever you do, do it heartily. These are for the first day and the whole year after it.

Quick answer: The most-read verse for back to school is Joshua 1:8: "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for…" Psalms 1:2 is the traditional second reading: "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." All fifteen verses below are shown in full King James text, public domain, with copy buttons and a modern-English toggle on every card.

The verses, in full text

01 · King James Version

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Joshua 1:8

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02 · King James Version

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalms 1:2

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03 · King James Version

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psalms 1:3

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04 · King James Version

O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

Psalms 119:97

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05 · King James Version

For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 2:6

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06 · King James Version

Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

Proverbs 4:5

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07 · King James Version

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

Proverbs 9:9

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08 · King James Version

The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

Proverbs 18:15

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09 · King James Version

Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.

Proverbs 23:12

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10 · King James Version

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Luke 2:52

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11 · King James Version

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

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12 · King James Version

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

Colossians 2:6

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13 · King James Version

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Colossians 3:23

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14 · King James Version

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

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15 · King James Version

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:7

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When to read these verses

These verses are read in the season itself — in services, around tables, in cards, and aloud at the gatherings the date calls for. School years typically begin August to September in the United States. The list also gets read in preparation: the weeks before, when the readings are chosen and the family texts are picked. 15 verses is deliberate: long enough to cover the occasion's full range, short enough to read through once.

How to use these verses

Copy any verse from its card for a program, a card, a caption, or a reading — every text here is public domain in both translations shown, so no permission is needed for print or projection. Each card toggles between the King James Version and the World English Bible; check the modern rendering before reading aloud if the archaic grammar might get between the listeners and the meaning. For the themes behind the season, the related topic pages below carry the fuller lists.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular Bible verse for back to school?
Joshua 1:8 is the one most read: "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for…" Psalms 1:2 is the standard second: "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." The full set of fifteen is on this page — different services and families use different subsets, which is why all are shown whole.
Can I print or share these verses for back to school?
Yes. Every verse is public domain — the King James Version has no copyright in the United States, and the World English Bible is dedicated to the public domain. Copy, print, project, and share freely; the copy button gives you the verse with its reference, ready to paste.
Where in the Bible do back to school readings come from?
The verses on this page are drawn from across Scripture — the passages most associated with back to school — spanning the Old Testament prophecies and the New Testament record where both apply. Each card shows the full verse so the reading carries its own context.
How do I choose which verses to use?
Read the list through once and note the two or three that fit your gathering — services usually take one Old Testament reading and one New Testament reading; cards and programs usually take one. The related topic pages below go deeper on individual themes if a fuller list is needed.

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