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14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

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.

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14 Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly.[a] Do not be conceited.[b] 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people.[c] 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people.[d] 19 Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath,[e] for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,”[f] says the Lord. 20 Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head.[g] 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 12:16 tn Or “but give yourselves to menial tasks.” The translation depends on whether one takes the adjective “lowly” as masculine or neuter.
  2. Romans 12:16 tn Grk “Do not be wise in your thinking.”
  3. Romans 12:17 tn Here ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) is used as a generic and refers to both men and women.
  4. Romans 12:18 tn Here ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) is used as a generic and refers to both men and women.
  5. Romans 12:19 tn Grk “the wrath,” referring to God’s wrath as the remainder of the verse shows.
  6. Romans 12:19 sn A quotation from Deut 32:35.
  7. Romans 12:20 sn A quotation from Prov 25:21-22.