Romans 12:19
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
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.”

Berean Standard Bible
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

Berean Literal Bible
never avenging yourselves, beloved; instead give place to wrath, for it has been written: "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

King James Bible
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

New King James Version
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

New American Standard Bible
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.

NASB 1995
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.

NASB 1977
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.

Legacy Standard Bible
never taking your own revenge, beloved—instead leave room for the wrath of God. For it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.

Amplified Bible
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.

Christian Standard Bible
Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord.

American Standard Version
Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord.

Contemporary English Version
Dear friends, don't try to get even. Let God take revenge. In the Scriptures the Lord says, "I am the one to take revenge and pay them back."

English Revised Version
Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Don't take revenge, dear friends. Instead, let God's anger take care of it. After all, Scripture says, "I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord."

Good News Translation
Never take revenge, my friends, but instead let God's anger do it. For the scripture says, "I will take revenge, I will pay back, says the Lord."

International Standard Version
Do not take revenge, dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath. For it is written, "Vengeance belongs to me. I will pay them back, declares the Lord."

Majority Standard Bible
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

NET Bible
Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God's wrath, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay," says the Lord.

New Heart English Bible
Do not seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for the wrath. For it is written, "Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord."

Webster's Bible Translation
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place to wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Weymouth New Testament
Do not be revengeful, my dear friends, but give way before anger; for it is written, "'Revenge belongs to Me: I will pay back,' says the Lord."

World English Bible
Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
not avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to the wrath, for it has been written: “Vengeance [is] Mine,

Berean Literal Bible
never avenging yourselves, beloved; instead give place to wrath, for it has been written: "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

Young's Literal Translation
not avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to the wrath, for it hath been written, 'Vengeance is Mine,

Smith's Literal Translation
Avenging not yourselves, beloved, but give ye place to anger: for it has been written, Vengeance to me; I will repay, says the Lord.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Revenge not yourselves, my dearly beloved; but give place unto wrath, for it is written: Revenge is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Do not defend yourselves, dearest ones. Instead, step aside from wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is mine. I shall give retribution, says the Lord.”

New American Bible
Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

New Revised Standard Version
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine: I will execute justice for you, said the LORD.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to rage, for it is written: “If you will not execute judgment for yourself, I shall execute your judgment, says God.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Beloved, avenge not yourselves, but give place to the wrath of God; for it is written: Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.

Godbey New Testament
avenging not yourselves, beloved, but give place to wrath; for it has been written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.

Haweis New Testament
Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto wrath: for it is written, “Vengeance belongeth to me; I will recompence, saith the Lord.”

Mace New Testament
dear brethren, avenge not yourselves, but leave that to the resentment of another: for it is written, "vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

Weymouth New Testament
Do not be revengeful, my dear friends, but give way before anger; for it is written, "'Revenge belongs to Me: I will pay back,' says the Lord."

Worrell New Testament
not avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to the wrath of God: for it has been written, "Vengeance is Mine; I will recompense," saith the Lord.

Worsley New Testament
Avenge not yourselves, my beloved; but rather give place to the wrath of others: for it is written, "Vengeance belongeth to me, I will recompence, saith the Lord."

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Forgiveness
18If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” 20On the contrary, “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.”…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 32:35
Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.”

Hebrews 10:30
For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.”

Matthew 5:38-39
You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ / But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.

1 Thessalonians 4:6
and no one should ever violate or exploit his brother in this regard, because the Lord will avenge all such acts, as we have already told you and solemnly warned you.

Leviticus 19:18
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Luke 6:27-28
But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

1 Samuel 26:10-11
David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. / But the LORD forbid that I should extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and water jug by his head, and let us go.”

Proverbs 24:29
Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”

James 5:9
Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door!

1 Corinthians 6:7
The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you are thoroughly defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?

1 Peter 2:23
When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.

Genesis 50:19
But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God?


Treasury of Scripture

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place to wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, said the Lord.

avenge.

Romans 12:14,17
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not…

Leviticus 19:18
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

1 Samuel 25:26,33
Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal…

give.

Matthew 5:39
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Luke 6:27-29
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, …

Luke 9:55,56
But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of…

Vengeance.

Romans 13:4
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.

Deuteronomy 32:35,43
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…

Psalm 94:1-3
O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself…

Jump to Previous
Anger Avenge Belongeth Belongs Beloved Dear Dearly Friends God's Leave Pay Punishment Rather Recompense Repay Revenge Revengeful Seek Vengeance Way Wrath Written Wrongs Yourselves
Jump to Next
Anger Avenge Belongeth Belongs Beloved Dear Dearly Friends God's Leave Pay Punishment Rather Recompense Repay Revenge Revengeful Seek Vengeance Way Wrath Written Wrongs Yourselves
Romans 12
1. God's mercies must move us to offer ourselves.
3. No man must think too well of himself;
6. but everyone attend to the calling wherein he is placed.
9. Love, and many other duties are required of us.
19. Revenge is especially forbidden.














Do not avenge yourselves
This phrase calls believers to resist the natural human inclination towards personal retribution. The Greek word for "avenge" is "ekdikeo," which means to vindicate or retaliate. In the historical context of the early church, Christians were often persecuted and faced injustices. Paul, the author of Romans, urges them to refrain from taking justice into their own hands. This instruction aligns with Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, where He advocates for turning the other cheek (Matthew 5:39). The call to avoid personal vengeance is a call to trust in God's justice and timing.

beloved
The term "beloved" is translated from the Greek word "agapetoi," which signifies those who are dearly loved. Paul uses this affectionate term to remind the Roman Christians of their identity in Christ. They are not just followers or servants; they are cherished members of God's family. This identity as beloved children of God is foundational to understanding why they should not seek vengeance. As those who are loved by God, they are called to reflect His character, which includes mercy and forgiveness.

but leave room for God’s wrath
This phrase suggests a conscious decision to step aside and allow God to act. The Greek word for "leave room" is "didomi," which means to give or grant. By stepping back, believers acknowledge that God is the ultimate judge. The concept of "God’s wrath" is rooted in the Old Testament, where God's righteous anger is directed against sin and injustice. It is not a capricious or uncontrolled anger but a holy response to evil. By leaving room for God's wrath, Christians demonstrate their trust in His perfect justice.

For it is written
This phrase introduces a quotation from the Old Testament, specifically Deuteronomy 32:35. The use of "it is written" underscores the authority of Scripture. Paul appeals to the Jewish heritage of the early church, reminding them that the principle of divine vengeance is not a new concept but one deeply embedded in their sacred texts. This appeal to Scripture reinforces the idea that God's word is the ultimate guide for faith and practice.

'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.'
This direct quotation from Deuteronomy 32:35 emphasizes God's exclusive right to execute justice. The Hebrew root for "vengeance" is "naqam," which conveys the idea of retribution or recompense. In the biblical narrative, God is portrayed as the righteous judge who will ultimately right all wrongs. The assurance "I will repay" is a promise that God will address every injustice in His time and way. This promise is meant to comfort believers, assuring them that no wrong will go unpunished and that they can trust in God's sovereign justice. The phrase "says the Lord" adds divine authority, reminding readers that this is not merely human wisdom but a declaration from God Himself.

(19) Give place unto wrath.--It seems best to understand this of "the wrath of God" (indicated in the Greek, here as elsewhere, by the use of the article). Stand aside yourself as a mere spectator, and let the wrath of God have free course to accomplish itself as He shall think well. The other most plausible interpretation would be, "Give room to the wrath of your adversary; let it spend itself; resist not evil," etc., as in Matthew 5:39. The sense, "Allow time for your own anger to cool," cannot be got out of the Greek. The view first stated is to be preferred.

Vengeance is mine; I will repay.--The form of this quotation, which differs both from the LXX. and from the Hebrew, is precisely similar to that in Hebrews 10:30. This should be noted as a point of resemblance between St. Paul and the author of that Epistle, but its strength as an argument for the identity of the two is much diminished by the fact that other marked coincidences are found in the literature of this age, which seem to point to the conclusion that forms of text were current (perhaps confined to a few familiar quotations) of which no direct representations have come down to us.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
{Do} not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

avenge
ἐκδικοῦντες (ekdikountes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1556: To give justice over, defend, avenge, vindicate. From ekdikos; to vindicate, retaliate, punish.

yourselves,
ἑαυτοὺς (heautous)
Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.

beloved,
ἀγαπητοί (agapētoi)
Adjective - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 27: From agapao; beloved.

but
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

leave
δότε (dote)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

room
τόπον (topon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5117: Apparently a primary word; a spot, i.e. Location; figuratively, condition, opportunity; specially, a scabbard.

for [God’s] wrath.
ὀργῇ (orgē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3709: From oregomai; properly, desire, i.e., violent passion (justifiable) abhorrence); by implication punishment.

For
γάρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

it is written:
γέγραπται (gegraptai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.

“Vengeance [is]
ἐκδίκησις (ekdikēsis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1557: (a) a defense, avenging, vindication, vengeance, (b) full (complete) punishment. From ekdikeo; vindication, retribution.

Mine;
Ἐμοὶ (Emoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

I
ἐγὼ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

will repay,
ἀνταποδώσω (antapodōsō)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 467: To give in return, recompense. From anti and apodidomi; to requite.

says
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

[the] Lord.”
Κύριος (Kyrios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.


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NT Letters: Romans 12:19 Don't seek revenge yourselves beloved but give (Rom. Ro)
Romans 12:18
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