Font Size
Romans 12:17-21
New International Version
Romans 12:17-21
New International Version
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil.(A) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.(B) 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.(C) 19 Do not take revenge,(D) my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[a](E) says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[b](F)
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Footnotes
- Romans 12:19 Deut. 32:35
- Romans 12:20 Prov. 25:21,22
Romans 12:17-21
King James Version
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 chapter
Romans 12:17-21
New Living Translation
Romans 12:17-21
New Living Translation
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”[a]
says the Lord.
20 Instead,
“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.”[b]
21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Read full chapterFootnotes
Romans 12:17-21
Amplified Bible
Romans 12:17-21
Amplified Bible
17 Never repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and gracious and proper in the sight of everyone.(A) 18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God’s wrath [and His judicial righteousness]; for it is written [in Scripture], “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.(B) 20 But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for by doing this you will heap [a]burning coals on his head.”(C) 21 Do not be overcome and conquered by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Romans 12:20 This may refer to an ancient Egyptian custom in which a penitent person carried a bowl of burning embers on his head to show his shame and guilt. By analogy, being kind to an enemy may lead him to shame and repentance.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Amplified Bible (AMP) 
Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.