¹⁷ Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.

¹⁵ See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

³⁹ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.

⁹ Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.

²⁰ We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift. ²¹ We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.

⁸ And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ⁹ Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

¹⁹ Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

¹⁶ But do this in a gentle and respectful way.^[a] Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

²² Stay away from every kind of evil.