14 (A)Bless those who persecute [a]you; bless and do not curse. 15 (B)Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 (C)Be of the same mind toward one another; (D)do not be [b]haughty in mind, but [c]associate with the lowly. (E)Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 (F)Never repay evil for evil to anyone. [d](G)Respect what is right in the sight of all people. 18 If possible, (H)so far as it depends on you, (I)be at peace with all people. 19 (J)Never take your own revenge, beloved, but [e]leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “(K)Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 (L)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.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 12:14 Two early mss do not contain you
  2. Romans 12:16 Or arrogant
  3. Romans 12:16 Or accommodate yourself to lowly things
  4. Romans 12:17 Lit Take thought for
  5. Romans 12:19 Lit give a place

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.(A) 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly;[a] do not claim to be wiser than you are.(B) 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.(C) 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.(D) 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God,[b] for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”(E) 20 Instead, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink, for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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Footnotes

  1. 12.16 Or give yourselves to humble tasks
  2. 12.19 Gk the wrath

14 Bless them that persecute you: bless, and curse not.

15 Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep.

16 Being of one mind one towards another. Not minding high things, but consenting to the humble. Be not wise in your own conceits.

17 To no man rendering evil for evil. Providing good things, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible, as much as is in you, have peace with all men.

19 Revenge not yourselves, my dearly beloved; but give place unto wrath, for it is written: Revenge is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.

20 But if thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat; if he thirst, give him to drink. For, doing this, thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head.

21 Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil by good.

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14-16 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.

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.

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