The Best 50+ Bible Verses About Immigration

Ever wondered what the Bible has to say about immigration? You're not alone. Many people turn to scripture for guidance on this complex issue.

Let's dive into the verses that offer wisdom, compassion, and insight on welcoming strangers and treating them with kindness. Ready to explore?

50 Bible Verses About Immigration

10 Bible Verses on Welcoming Immigrants

• "The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God." — Leviticus 19:34
• "For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in." — Matthew 25:35
• "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels." — Hebrews 13:2
• "Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt." — Deuteronomy 10:19
• "You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt." — Exodus 22:21
• "Distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality." — Romans 12:13
• "Be hospitable to one another without grumbling." — 1 Peter 4:9
• "Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?" — Isaiah 58:7
• "But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just." — Luke 14:13-14
• "(But no sojourner had to lodge in the street, for I have opened my doors to the traveler.)" — Job 31:32

10 Bible Verses on Refugees and Strangers

• "You shall not pervert justice due the stranger or the fatherless, nor take a widow’s garment as a pledge." — Deuteronomy 24:17
• "If you do not oppress the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, or walk after other gods to your hurt." — Jeremiah 7:6
• "Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart against his brother." — Zechariah 7:10
• "And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness against sorcerers, against adulterers, against perjurers, against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, and against those who turn away an alien—Because they do not fear Me,” Says the Lord of hosts." — Malachi 3:5
• "The Lord watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down." — Psalm 146:9
• "In you they have made light of father and mother; in your midst they have oppressed the stranger; in you they have mistreated the fatherless and the widow." — Ezekiel 22:7
• "Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, 'Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.' When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, 'Out of Egypt I called My Son.'" — Matthew 2:13-15
• "But Ruth said: 'Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God.'" — Ruth 1:16
• "Now the Lord had said to Abram: 'Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.'" — Genesis 12:1
• "But God spoke in this way: that his descendants would dwell in a foreign land, and that they would bring them into bondage and oppress them four hundred years." — Acts 7:6

10 Bible Verses on Justice for Immigrants

• "Cursed is the one who perverts the justice due the stranger, the fatherless, and widow." — Deuteronomy 27:19
• "Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy." — Proverbs 31:8-9
• "Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow." — Isaiah 1:17
• "Thus says the Lord: 'Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.'" — Jeremiah 22:3
• "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" — Micah 6:8
• "Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy." — Psalm 82:3
• "You shall have the same law for the stranger and for one from your own country; for I am the Lord your God." — Leviticus 24:22
• "Also you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt." — Exodus 23:9
• "These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace; Let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor; And do not love a false oath. For all these are things that I hate,’ Says the Lord." — Zechariah 8:16-17
• "Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate; For the Lord will plead their cause, And plunder the soul of those who plunder them." — Proverbs 22:22-23

10 Bible Verses on Love and Hospitality

• "We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also." — 1 John 4:19-21
• "Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." — Romans 13:10
• "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." — 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
• "But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection." — Colossians 3:14
• "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" — Galatians 5:14
• "Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous." — 1 Peter 3:8
• "With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love." — Ephesians 4:2
• "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." — John 13:34-35
• "Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing." — 1 Thessalonians 5:11
• "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works." — Hebrews 10:24

10 Bible Verses on Foreigners and Neighbors

• "One ordinance shall be for you of the assembly and for the stranger who dwells with you, an ordinance forever throughout your generations; as you are, so shall the stranger be before the Lord. One law and one custom shall be for you and for the stranger who dwells with you." — Numbers 15:15-16
• "And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings." — Acts 17:26
• "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." — Galatians 3:28
• "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." — Ephesians 2:19
• "The land shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are strangers and sojourners with Me." — Leviticus 25:23
• "Moreover, concerning a foreigner, who is not of Your people Israel, but has come from a far country for Your name’s sake (for they will hear of Your great name and Your strong hand and Your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this temple, hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, that all peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this temple which I have built is called by Your name." — 1 Kings 8:41-43
• "Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the Lord, to serve Him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants—Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And holds fast My covenant—Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations." — Isaiah 56:6-7
• "But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." — Jeremiah 31:33-34
• "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him." — Romans 10:12
• "After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands." — Revelation 7:9

What Does the Bible Say About Immigration

The Bible offers a rich tapestry of guidance on the topic of immigration, emphasizing themes of compassion, justice, and unity. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, scripture consistently calls for the fair and kind treatment of strangers and immigrants. For instance, Leviticus 19:34 urges us to love the stranger as ourselves, reminding us that we were once strangers in the land of Egypt. This call to empathy is echoed in Deuteronomy 10:19, which also emphasizes the importance of loving the stranger.

Justice for immigrants is another recurring theme. Verses like Deuteronomy 27:19 and Isaiah 1:17 highlight the need to defend the rights of the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. These passages encourage us to seek justice and rebuke oppression, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, is treated fairly. Proverbs 31:8-9 further calls us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, advocating for the rights of the poor and needy.

Unity and love are also central to the Bible's teachings on immigration. Galatians 3:28 and Ephesians 2:19 remind us that we are all one in Christ, breaking down barriers between different groups. By embracing these teachings, we can create a more inclusive and compassionate society. As we reflect on these verses, let us strive to apply these principles in our daily lives, welcoming strangers with open hearts and advocating for justice and unity.

How to Apply Immigration Bible Verses in Daily Life

Applying the Bible's teachings on immigration in daily life can start with simple, yet impactful actions. Begin by showing kindness to strangers in your community. A warm smile or a friendly greeting can make a significant difference.

Consider volunteering at local shelters or organizations that support immigrants and refugees. Your time and effort can provide much-needed assistance and demonstrate the love and compassion emphasized in scripture.

• Donate to charities that focus on immigrant support and advocacy.
• Educate yourself and others about the challenges immigrants face.
• Advocate for fair and just immigration policies in your community and beyond.

Engage in conversations that promote understanding and empathy. Listening to the stories of immigrants can broaden your perspective and foster a more inclusive environment.

Pray for immigrants and refugees, asking for their protection, provision, and peace. Prayer can be a powerful tool in aligning your heart with God's compassion for all people.

Explore more prayers and Bible verses on PrayersFor or use our Bible Verse Generator to deepen your understanding and faith.