Romans 12:19
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of 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
To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
Read in contextHebrews 10:30
For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Read in contextProverbs 24:29
Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
Read in contextProverbs 20:22
Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
Read in contextRomans 12:17
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Read in context1 Thessalonians 4:6
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
Read in contextRomans 12:14
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Read in contextLeviticus 19:18
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
Read in context