¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.^{(A) 18} If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.^{(B) 19} Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God,^[a] for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”^{(C) 20} Instead, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink, for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

¹⁵ See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.^(A)

³⁹ But I say to you: Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also,^{(A) 40} and if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, give your coat as well, ⁴¹ and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. ⁴² Give to the one who asks of you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.^(B)

Love for Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’^{(C) 44} But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,^(D)

²² But Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad, for Absalom hated Amnon because he had raped his sister Tamar.^(A)

Absalom Avenges the Violation of His Sister

²³ After two full years Absalom had sheepshearers at Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king’s sons. ²⁴ Absalom came to the king and said, “Your servant has sheepshearers; will the king and his servants please go with your servant?” ²⁵ But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let us not all go, or else we will be burdensome to you.” He pressed him, but he would not go but gave him his blessing. ²⁶ Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” The king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” ²⁷ But Absalom pressed him until he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him. Absalom made a feast like a king’s feast.^{[a] 28} Then Absalom commanded his servants, “Watch when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Do not be afraid; have I not myself commanded you? Be courageous and valiant.”^(B)

¹¹ Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam, and they said to Samson, “Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What then have you done to us?” He replied, “As they did to me, so I have done to them.”^(A)