Last updated on August 20th, 2025 at 11:53 am
When someone wrongs us, the urge to get even can feel almost impossible to resist.
But as believers, we are called to a higher standard—one that reflects the mercy and justice of God.
Revenge may promise satisfaction, but it never brings peace. The Bible teaches us to respond with love, patience, and trust in God’s ultimate justice.
These Bible verses about revenge remind us that God sees all, knows all, and will judge all things fairly.
When we surrender our desire for revenge, we make room for healing, growth, and God’s righteous plan to unfold.
1. Romans 12:19 (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.”
✅ Reflect: God is the ultimate Judge—He sees what you went through.
Letting go of revenge is not weakness; it’s strength in trusting Him.
2. Proverbs 20:22 (NIV)
“Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.”
✅ Reflect: Waiting on God isn’t passive—it’s powerful.
He works behind the scenes even when you don’t see it.
3. Matthew 5:38-39 (NIV)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person…”
✅ Reflect: Jesus flips human logic on its head by teaching radical grace.
Releasing vengeance frees your heart from bitterness.
4. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (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.”
✅ Reflect: Doing good in response to evil reflects Christ’s heart.
Kindness is your weapon against darkness.
5. Proverbs 24:29 (NIV)
“Do not say, ‘I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.'”
✅ Reflect: You don’t need to mirror someone else’s behavior.
You’re called to rise higher—reflect grace, not grudges.
6. Leviticus 19:18 (NIV)
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”
✅ Reflect: Love heals what revenge can never fix.
Choosing love is choosing God’s way.
7. Matthew 5:44 (NIV)
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
✅ Reflect: This is one of Jesus’ hardest commands—and one of the most freeing.
Prayer changes your heart and theirs.
8. Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)
“Get rid of all bitterness… Be kind and compassionate... forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
✅ Reflect: Forgiveness isn’t excusing—it’s releasing.
God’s grace toward you empowers you to extend it to others.
9. Psalm 37:7-9 (NIV)
“Do not fret when people succeed in their ways… Refrain from anger and turn from wrath…”
✅ Reflect: God will deal with wrongdoers in His time.
Your peace is worth more than holding a grudge.
10. Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you…”
✅ Reflect: Counteracting hate with goodness isn’t natural—it’s spiritual.
This kind of love shows you belong to Christ.
More Bible Verses About Revenge and Forgiveness
11. 1 Peter 3:9
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult…”
✅ Choose blessing over bitterness.
12. Proverbs 25:21-22
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat…”
✅ Your kindness will speak louder than vengeance ever could.
13. Colossians 3:13
“Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
✅ You’re most like Jesus when you forgive.
14. Isaiah 35:4
“Your God will come… with divine retribution.”
✅ He defends the brokenhearted.
15. Psalm 94:1
“O Lord, God of vengeance… shine forth!”
✅ God sees injustice—and acts on your behalf.
16. Job 42:10
“After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes…”
✅ Forgiveness opened the door to blessing.
17. Genesis 50:20
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…”
✅ God can redeem even the darkest betrayal.
18. Nahum 1:2
“The Lord is a jealous and avenging God…”
✅ Vengeance belongs to Him, not us.
19. Luke 23:34
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
✅ If Jesus could forgive from the cross, so can we.
20. Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
✅ Let good be your battle strategy.
Bible verse for revenge
Romans 12:19 (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.”
Reflection: God calls us to step away from vengeance and trust His justice instead of taking matters into our own hands.
Impact: This verse frees us from bitterness by reminding us that ultimate justice belongs to God.
Bible verse revenge
Proverbs 20:22 (NIV)
“Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.”
Reflection: We may feel the urge to retaliate, but God promises to handle injustice if we trust Him.
Impact: Choosing patience over revenge strengthens faith and prevents us from acting in anger.
Bible verse on revenge
1 Peter 3:9 (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.”
Reflection: God’s way is countercultural—responding to hate with kindness and blessing.
Impact: Following this principle not only stops cycles of revenge but also leads to God’s favor.
Romans 12:19
Romans 12:19 (ESV)
“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.’”
Reflection: Paul reminds believers that vengeance is not our duty, but God’s.
Impact: This verse calls us to peace, letting God’s justice work in His timing.
Consequences of revenge in the Bible
Matthew 26:52 (NIV)
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.”
Reflection: Jesus warned that violence and revenge only breed more destruction.
Impact: Revenge ultimately harms us, while forgiveness breaks the cycle of pain.
Bible verses about revenge and forgiveness
Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Reflection: Instead of holding grudges, we’re called to mirror Christ’s forgiveness.
Impact: Forgiveness releases us from the heavy chains of revenge and restores peace.
Revenge Bible verses
Leviticus 19:18 (NIV)
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”
Reflection: God’s law shows that love is greater than retaliation.
Impact: Choosing love over revenge builds stronger relationships and honors God.
Bible verses on revenge
Proverbs 24:29 (NIV)
“Do not say, ‘I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.'”
Reflection: Retaliation seems fair to us, but God calls us to rise above it.
Impact: By refusing revenge, we reflect Christ’s grace to others.
Bible verses about revenge
Matthew 5:39 (NIV)
“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
Reflection: Jesus teaches radical forgiveness, replacing revenge with humility.
Impact: This attitude shifts power away from hatred and points others to God’s love.
Karma Bible quotes about revenge
Galatians 6:7 (NIV)
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
Reflection: The Bible doesn’t teach “karma,” but it affirms God’s principle of sowing and reaping.
Impact: Revenge isn’t necessary because God ensures justice comes in His way and time.
Bible verses about revenge Old Testament
Deuteronomy 32:35 (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.”
Reflection: God’s justice is sure and will come in His timing.
Impact: We can trust God to handle wrongs instead of seeking personal revenge.
Examples of revenge in the Bible
Judges 16:28 (NIV)
“Then Samson prayed to the Lord, ‘Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.’”
Reflection: Samson’s desire for revenge brought destruction to his enemies, but also cost him his life.
Impact: This example warns us of the dangers of pursuing revenge rather than relying on God.
Bible verse about revenge
Psalm 94:1 (NIV)
“The Lord is a God who avenges. O God who avenges, shine forth.”
Reflection: The psalmist acknowledges God alone as the righteous avenger.
Impact: Instead of taking justice into our own hands, we can cry out to God for deliverance.
Scripture on revenge
Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Reflection: Revenge divides, but forgiveness unites and heals.
Impact: Living with forgiveness reflects Christ’s love and brings inner peace.
Revenge Bible verse
1 Thessalonians 5:15 (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.”
Reflection: Paul emphasizes that revenge should never be the Christian’s path.
Impact: Doing good instead of seeking payback transforms conflict into opportunities for grace.
Bible quotes about revenge
Matthew 5:44 (NIV)
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Reflection: Jesus calls us to the highest form of love—praying for those who hurt us.
Impact: Prayer changes our hearts, replacing anger with compassion, and breaks the cycle of revenge.
Final Encouragement
If you’re battling the desire for revenge today, remember—you are not alone, and you don’t have to carry the weight of justice.
God promises to handle every offense, heal every wound, and reward those who trust in Him.
