Romans 12:19
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
18 If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
20 On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
- KJV
- Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
- WEB
- Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”
- ASV
- Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath [of God]: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord.
- DARBY
- not avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to wrath; for it is written, Vengeance [belongs] to me, *I* will recompense, saith the Lord.
- BLB
- not avenging yourselves, beloved; but give place to wrath, for it has been written: “Vengeance [is] Mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
- ÅB
- Ta ikke hevn, mine elskede, men gi plass til Guds vrede! For det er skrevet: «Hevnen hører meg til, jeg vil gjengjelde,» sier Herren.
- OTB
- Ta ikke hevn, mine kjære venner, men gi rom for Guds vrede, for det står skrevet: "Hevnen er min; jeg vil gjengjelde," sier Herren.
- B1930
- Hevn eder ikke selv, mine elskede, men gi vreden rum! for det er skrevet: Mig hører hevnen til, jeg vil gjengjelde, sier Herren.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Deuteronomy 32:35
Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.”
Read in contextHebrews 10:30
For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.”
Read in contextProverbs 24:29
Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”
Read in contextProverbs 20:22
Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
Read in contextRomans 12:17
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
Read in context1 Thessalonians 4:6
and no one should ever violate or exploit his brother in this regard, because the Lord will avenge all such acts, as we have already told you and solemnly warned you.
Read in contextRomans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.
Read in contextLeviticus 19:18
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
Read in context