Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
KJV
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
NASB
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.
NIV
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
NLT
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,” says the LORD.
1 Peter 3:9
ESV
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
KJV
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
NASB
not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
NIV
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
NLT
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.
See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.
KJV
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
NASB
See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.
NIV
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
NLT
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
Mark 11:25
ESV
And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
KJV
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
NASB
“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.
NIV
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
NLT
But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”
For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.
KJV
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
NASB
for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
NIV
For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
NLT
The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.
Proverbs 20:22
ESV
Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.
KJV
Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
NASB
Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.
NIV
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you.
NLT
Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the LORD to handle the matter.
Deuteronomy 32:35
ESV
Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’
KJV
To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
NASB
‘Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their calamity is near, And the impending things are hastening upon them.’
NIV
It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.”
NLT
I will take revenge; I will pay them back. In due time their feet will slip. Their day of disaster will arrive, and their destiny will overtake them.’
Matthew 5:7
ESV
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
KJV
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
NASB
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
NIV
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
NLT
God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Proverbs 10:12
ESV
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.
KJV
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
NASB
Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.
NIV
Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
NLT
Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.
Hebrews 10:30
ESV
For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.”
KJV
For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
NASB
For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.”
NIV
For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”
NLT
For we know the one who said, “I will take revenge. I will pay them back.” He also said, “The LORD will judge his own people.”
Daniel's seminary degree is in Exegetical Theology. He was a pastor for 10 years. As a professor, he has taught Bible and theology courses at two Christian universities. Please see his About page for details.
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