What Does the Bible Say About Vengeance?
Here are 15 Bible verses about vengeance, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #1Romans 12:19
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
BSBDo not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
- #2Matthew 5:38-39
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 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.
BSBYou 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;
- #3Hebrews 10:30
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.
BSBFor we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.”
- #4Ezekiel 25:17
And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.
BSBI will execute great vengeance against them with furious reproof. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I lay My vengeance upon them.’”
- #5Leviticus 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.
BSBDo not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
- #6Deuteronomy 32:35
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.
BSBVengeance 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.”
- #72 Thessalonians 1:6
Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
BSBAfter all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
- #81 Thessalonians 5:15
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
BSBMake sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
- #9Ephesians 4:26-27
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.
BSB“Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, and do not give the devil a foothold.
- #10Psalms 94:1
O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
BSBO LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth.
- #11Revelation 21:8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
BSBBut to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”
- #12Romans 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.
BSBFor he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.
- #13Proverbs 24:29
Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
BSBDo not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”
- #14Proverbs 20:22
Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.
BSBDo not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
- #151 Samuel 24:12
The Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
BSBMay the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).