²⁴ And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.^(A)

¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.^{(A) 19} Do not take revenge,^(B) my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[a](C) says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

³⁹ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.^{(A) 40} And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹ If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.

⁶ But instead, one brother^(A) takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!^(B)

⁷ The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?^{(C) 8} Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters.^(D)