Romans 12:17-21
New American Standard Bible
17 (A)Never repay evil for evil to anyone. [a](B)Respect what is right in the sight of all people. 18 If possible, (C)so far as it depends on you, (D)be at peace with all people. 19 (E)Never take your own revenge, beloved, but [b]leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “(F)Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 “(G)But 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.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Romans 12:17 Lit Take thought for
- Romans 12:19 Lit give a place
Romans 12:17-21
The Message
17-19 Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”
20-21 Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
Read full chapter
Romans 12:17-21
King James Version
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.
19 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.
Read full chapterNew American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson