BibleVerse
Bible verses for the season

Bible Verses for Graduation

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

— Joshua 1:9

Graduation verses get quoted so often they wear smooth — "I know the thoughts that I think toward you," "trust in the LORD with all thine heart" — and reading them in full KJV text restores the edges the keychains rounded off. These are the send-off verses, whole.

Quick answer: The most-read verse for graduation is Joshua 1:9: "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Psalms 32:8 is the traditional second reading: "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." 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

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 1:9

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02 · King James Version

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Psalms 32:8

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03 · King James Version

Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Psalms 37:4

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04 · King James Version

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Psalms 37:23

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05 · King James Version

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalms 119:105

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06 · King James Version

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

Psalms 121:1

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07 · King James Version

My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

Psalms 121:2

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08 · King James Version

Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Proverbs 16:3

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09 · King James Version

A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

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10 · King James Version

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

Ecclesiastes 12:1

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11 · King James Version

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19

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12 · King James Version

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 29:11

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13 · King James Version

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Matthew 28:19

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14 · King James Version

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Philippians 1:6

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15 · King James Version

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12

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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. Graduation seasons typically run May to June 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 graduation?
Joshua 1:9 is the one most read: "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Psalms 32:8 is the standard second: "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." 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 graduation?
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 graduation readings come from?
The verses on this page are drawn from across Scripture — the passages most associated with graduation — 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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