Bible Verses About Revenge: 13 Powerful Verses on Forgiveness and God’s Justice

When someone hurts you, it can be difficult to let go of anger and the desire to get even. However, the Bible teaches us that revenge belongs to God, not to us. These Bible verses about revenge offer wisdom on forgiveness, mercy, and trusting God’s justice when others treat us unfairly.

From Romans 12:19 to Leviticus 19:18, Scripture reminds us to overcome evil with good and release bitterness. Explore these 13 powerful Bible verses to find peace, strengthen your faith, and learn how to forgive without giving up on justice.

What Does the Bible Say About Revenge?

The Bible says revenge belongs to God, not to us. Believers are told not to pay back evil for evil, but to forgive, show mercy, and trust God to judge fairly. Verses like Romans 12:19 and Leviticus 19:18 make this very clear.

Two original words add depth. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew root naqam is used for vengeance and for avenging (Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 32:35). 

In the New Testament, the Greek word ekdikēsis is used for vengeance (Hebrews 10:30). In both Testaments, the right to take vengeance is placed in God’s hands.

Is Revenge a Sin in the Bible?

Yes. The Bible treats personal revenge as wrong because it takes God’s place as Judge and goes against the command to love. Leviticus 19:18 says, “Thou shalt not avenge,” and Romans 12:17 says, “Recompense to no man evil for evil.”

Wanting justice is not a sin. The problem starts when we take payback into our own hands. God cares about every wrong done to you, and He says, “I will repay” (Romans 12:19).

“Eye for an Eye” in the Old Testament vs Jesus’ Teaching

The saying comes from the law of Moses: “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot” (Exodus 21:24). In Deuteronomy 19:1621, the same rule appears in a court case about a false witness. The judges had to investigate carefully (verse 18) before anyone was punished.

So the rule limited punishment to fit the crime. It was never a permit for personal revenge, which Leviticus 19:18 forbids.

Jesus went deeper. In Matthew 5:3839, He quoted the old saying and told His followers not to answer evil with evil.

Point	Old Testament law	Jesus’ teaching
Who it spoke to	Judges and courts	Everyday followers
Main goal	Fair and limited punishment	End the cycle of payback
Key verses	Exodus 21:24; Deuteronomy 19:21	Matthew 5:3839, 44

Revenge vs Justice: What Is the Difference?

Revenge is personal payback driven by anger. Justice is fair punishment based on truth, carried out by God or by lawful authorities.

Point	Revenge	Justice
Who acts	You, on your own	God or lawful authority
Driven by	Anger and hurt	Truth and fairness
Limit	Often goes too far	Fits the wrong done
Bible view	Forbidden (Romans 12:19)	Honored (Romans 13:4; Micah 6:8)

Romans 13:4 says a ruler “beareth not the sword in vain” and is “a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”

Micah 6:8 asks us “to do justly, and to love mercy.” So reporting a crime or asking a court for help is not revenge. Taking the law into your own hands is.

Leave Vengeance for God

Romans 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.

Paul wrote these words to the Christians in Rome, and he quotes Deuteronomy 32:35. His point is simple: step back and make room for God to act. When we stop trying to settle the score, we trust that God sees everything and will make things right in His time.

Do Not Repay Evil with Evil

1 Peter 3:9

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

“Railing” means insulting words, and “contrariwise” means on the contrary. Peter wrote to believers who faced insults and unfair treatment. He tells them to answer harsh words with a blessing, not with more harsh words.

This is not weakness. It is a choice to respond with grace, and God promises a blessing to those who do.

Read More: 15 Encouraging Bible Verses for Comfort During Hard Times

Overcome Evil with Good

Romans 12:21

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

This is the last line of Romans 12, where Paul explains how to treat enemies. Just before it, he says, “if thine enemy hunger, feed him” (Romans 12:20).

When we take revenge, we copy the same evil that hurt us, and evil wins. When we answer with kindness, we break the chain and overcome evil with good.

Do Not Take Revenge or Hold a Grudge

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.

God gave this command through Moses, long before Jesus was born. It joins two things: no revenge and no grudge. The Hebrew word for “bear a grudge” (natar) carries the idea of guarding or keeping, like storing up anger inside.

The verse ends with love for your neighbor, which Jesus later called the second greatest command (Matthew 22:39).

Trust the Lord Instead of Seeking Revenge

Proverbs 20:22

Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.

“Recompense” means to repay. This proverb gives two steps: stop saying you will pay them back, and wait on the Lord. Waiting is hard when the hurt is fresh.

Yet the promise is clear: the Lord “shall save thee.” We do not have to fight our own battles, because God is able to help.

Be Patient and Do Not Repay Wrongdoing

1 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.

Right before this, Paul tells the church to “be patient toward all men” (verse 14). Patience and payback cannot live in the same heart. Paul asks believers to keep doing good to everyone, even when others treat them badly.

Turn the Other Cheek Instead of Getting Even

Matthew 5:3839

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.

“Smite” means to strike. Jesus said this in the Sermon on the Mount. He teaches us to refuse the urge to hit back when someone insults or strikes us.

When we do not return the blow, the fight stops growing. This teaching is about giving up payback. It does not mean you must stay near someone who keeps hurting you.

Forgive Others and Let Go of Anger

Mark 11:25

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.

Here “ought against any” means anything against anyone. Jesus connects forgiveness with prayer. Before we ask God for help, we are told to let go of what we hold against others.

Forgiving does not say the wrong was small. It says, “I will not make them pay.” Matthew 6:1415 teaches the same link between forgiving others and being forgiven.

Read More: 40+ Bible Verses About Trusting God (With Meaning & Encouragement)

Let God Handle Justice

Deuteronomy 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.

These words come from the Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32). Two Hebrew words stand side by side here: naqam (vengeance) and shillem (recompense).

God claims both for Himself. Romans 12:19 and Hebrews 10:30 both quote this verse, which shows how the New Testament builds on it.

Do Not Seek Revenge Against Others

Proverbs 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.

“As he hath done to me” is how revenge thinks: they hurt me, so I will hurt them. Proverbs says we should not even say it.

Your pain may be real, but copying the wrong would make you no different from the person who hurt you. Choose a better answer than payback.

Love Your Enemies and Show Mercy

Matthew 5:7

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

This is one of the Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount. Revenge gives people what they deserve. Mercy gives them a chance. Later in the same sermon, Jesus says (Matthew 5:44):

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Mercy is not weakness. It is the strength to let go of what someone owes you.

Love Covers All Offenses

Proverbs 10:12

Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

The KJV says “sins,” and many modern Bibles say “offenses” or “wrongs.” The idea is the same. Hatred keeps old fights alive, while love chooses to cover a wrong with forgiveness instead of spreading it.

 1 Peter 4:8 repeats the thought: “charity shall cover the multitude of sins” (“charity” means love here). Covering a wrong does not mean pretending it never happened. It means refusing to use it as a weapon.

God Is the Righteous Judge

Hebrews 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.

The writer of Hebrews quotes Deuteronomy 32:3536 to remind readers that God sees and judges. Jesus Himself showed how to trust this. 

When He was insulted, He “committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:23). We can do the same: hand the case over to the One who always judges fairly.

Read More: 12 Bible Verses About Friendship and Walking in Love Like Jesus

Why Does God Tell Us Not to Take Revenge?

God asks us to leave revenge with Him for three main reasons: He is the perfect Judge, revenge feeds more harm, and forgiveness heals the heart.

God Is the Only Perfect Judge

We only see part of the story, but God sees every motive and every act. Abraham trusted this when he asked, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

” (Genesis 18:25). Psalm 94:1 also says, “O God, to whom vengeance belongeth.” When we hand a wrong to God, we hand it to a Judge who never makes a mistake.

Revenge Keeps the Cycle of Harm Going

Lamech boasted that he killed a man for wounding him, then promised even bigger payback: “If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold” (Genesis 4:24). One act of revenge leads to another.

 Jesus gave a clear warning: “all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword” (Matthew 26:52).

Forgiveness Frees the Heart

Bitterness hurts the person who carries it. Paul told believers to put away “bitterness, and wrath, and anger” and to forgive “even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:3132). Forgiveness does not change the past. It lets you walk into the future without that weight.

How Can You Overcome the Desire for Revenge?

You can overcome the desire for revenge by praying, choosing forgiveness step by step, answering with kindness, and seeking justice the right way. Here is how each one works.

Pray and Give Your Anger to God

Tell God exactly how you feel. He can handle your anger. Peter says to cast “all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Psalm 37:8 adds, “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath.” Ask God to calm your heart before you speak or act.

Choose Forgiveness Step by Step

Forgiveness is often a process, not a single moment. Try these steps:

• Admit the hurt. Do not pretend it did not happen.
• Ask God to help you forgive.
• Decide to let go of payback, even if you do not feel ready.
• Pray for the person who hurt you (Matthew 5:44).
• Repeat when the pain returns. Some days you will need to choose forgiveness again.

Forgiving someone does not mean you must trust them again right away.

Respond with Kindness and Good

Romans 12:20 says, “if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink.” Kindness does not excuse what they did. It keeps hate out of your heart. Jesus is our best example. On the cross He prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

Seek Justice the Right Way

If you were truly wronged, you can seek help in the right way. Report crimes to the police, ask a court for protection, or speak with a pastor or trusted leader. Romans 13:4 shows that lawful authorities have a role in punishing evil.

This is different from revenge because it is fair, lawful, and free from hatred. If you are in danger, put your safety first.

A Short Prayer to Let Go of Revenge and Anger

Lord, You see the hurt in my heart. I give You my anger and my wish to get even. Help me forgive as You have forgiven me.

Teach me to answer evil with good and to trust You to judge fairly. Heal my heart and fill it with Your peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Consequences of Revenge in the Bible?

Revenge keeps harm going. Jesus warned that those who take the sword will perish by it (Matthew 26:52), and Proverbs 26:27 says a trap you set can catch you.

What Are Bible Verses About Revenge in the Old Testament?

Key verses are Leviticus 19:18, Deuteronomy 32:35, Proverbs 20:22, and Proverbs 24:29. Together they say: do not avenge yourself, and wait for the Lord.

What Are Bible Verses About Revenge and Forgiveness?

Romans 12:19 says to leave vengeance to God, while Mark 11:25 and Ephesians 4:32 tell us to forgive. Together they teach us to let go.

What Are Bible Verses About Revenge and Justice?

Hebrews 10:30 says the Lord will judge His people, and Romans 13:4 says rulers punish wrongdoing. Micah 6:8 adds that we should do justly.

What Are Karma Bible Quotes About Revenge?

Karma is not a Bible teaching, but Galatians 6:7 and Proverbs 26:27 show that actions have results. In the Bible, God is the Judge, not fate.

What Is a Bible Verse About Revenge Being Bad?

Romans 12:17 says, “Recompense to no man evil for evil,” and Proverbs 24:29 warns us not to do to others what they did to us.

What Are Bible Verses About Revenge in the KJV?

Romans 12:19 is the best known: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Leviticus 19:18 and Proverbs 20:22 also say it clearly.

What Is the “Vengeance Is Mine” Bible Verse?

The KJV wording “Vengeance is mine; I will repay” is in Romans 12:19, which quotes Deuteronomy 32:35. Hebrews 10:30 repeats it.

Conclusion

The Bible is clear: revenge belongs to God, and we are called to forgive. These Bible verses about revenge, from Leviticus 19:18 to Romans 12:19, ask us to lay down payback, answer with mercy, and trust the Judge of all the earth.

 Romans 12:18 adds, “as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Letting go is not easy when the pain is fresh. Pick one verse from this list, pray over it today, and take your first step toward forgiveness.