30 Bible Verses about Vengeance

"He that killeth any man, shall die for it, but he that killeth a beast shall pay for it, beast for beast. If a man maim his neighbour, as he hath done, so shall it be done to him again:read more.
broke for broke, eye for eye and tooth for tooth: even as he hath maimed a man, so shall he be maimed again. So now he that killeth a beast shall pay for it: but he that killeth a man, shall die for it. Ye shall have one manner of law among you: even for the stranger as well as for one of yourselves, for I am the LORD your God."

If I whet the lightning of my sword, and mine hand take in hand to do justice, I will show vengeance on mine enemies and will reward them that hate me. I will make mine arrows drunken with blood, and my sword shall eat flesh of the blood of the slain and of the captive and of the bare head of the enemy.' "Rejoice, heathen with his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will avenge him of his adversaries, and will be merciful unto the land of his people."

And moreover my father, see yet the tip of thy coat in my hand. And inasmuch as I killed thee not too, when I cut off the tip of thy coat; understand and see that there is neither evil nor rebelliousness in me, and that I have not sinned against thee. And yet thou huntest after my soul to take it. The LORD be judge between thee and me, and the LORD avenge me of thee. But mine hand be not upon thee. According to the old proverb, wickedness shall proceed out of the wicked: But mine hand be not upon thee.read more.
After whom art thou come out, thou king of Israel? After whom chasest thou? Even after a dead dog, and after a flea! The LORD be judge, and judge between thee and me, and see and plead my cause, and judge me free out of thine hand." When David had made an end of speaking all these words to Saul, Saul said, "Is this thy voice, my son David?" And he lifted up his voice and wept,

And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth came against him with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves and one hundred bunches of raisins, and a hundred frayls of dried figs, and a bottle of wine. Then said the king to Ziba, "What hast thou there?" And Ziba said, "Asses for the king's household to ride on, and bread and fruit for the young men to eat, and wine to drink, if any man faint in the wilderness." Then said the king, "Where is thy master's son?" and Ziba said unto the king, "Behold, he tarrieth still at Jerusalem. For he said, 'This day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.'"read more.
Then said the king to Ziba, "Behold, thine are all that pertained to Mephibosheth." And Ziba answered, "I beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight my lord king." And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the kindred of the house of Saul named Shimei, the son of Gera; and he came out cursing. And thereto he cast stones at David and at all the servants of king David, all the people and all the men of war going; part on his righthand, and part on his left. And thus said this Shimei as he cursed, "Come forth, come forth thou blood shedder and thou unthrifty man! The LORD hath brought upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned, and he hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son. And thou art wrapped about with thine own mischief, because thou art a blood shedder." Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, "Why doth this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go and take off the head of him." And the king said, "What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? Let him curse: for the LORD hath bid him curse David. And who dare presume to say wherefore doth he so?" And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, "Behold, my son which came out of mine own bowels seeketh my life. How much more may this son of Benjamin do it? Suffer him therefore to curse, for the LORD hath bidden him. Haply, the LORD will look on my wretchedness, and do me good for his cursing this day." And thus as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him and cast dust. And the king and all that were with him came weary, and refreshed themselves there.

Then there fell a hunger in the days of David: three years, year by year. And David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, "It is for Saul's sake and the house of blood, because he slew the Gibeonites." And the king called the Gibeonites and spake unto them. Now these Gibeonites are not of the children of Israel, but a remnant of the Amorites - and the children of Israel sware unto them. And yet Saul sought to slay them, for a zeal that he had to the children of Israel and of Judah. Wherefore David said unto them, "What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I content you that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?"read more.
And the Gibeonites said unto him, "We have no matter of silver or of gold with Saul or with his house: neither have we any man that we would kill in Israel." Then he said, "What say ye that I shall do for you?" And they said unto the king, "The man that consumed and imagined to bring us to nought, him we ought to destroy, that nought of him continue in any of the coasts of Israel. Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, that we may hang them up unto the LORD, in Gibeah of Saul the LORD's elect." And David said, "I will give them you." But the king had compassion on Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the LORD's oath that was between them: that is to say, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul. But he took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah which she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Miphiyboseth, and the five sons of Merab the daughter of Saul which she bare to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite, and delivered them unto the hands of the Gibeonites, which hanged them in the hill before the LORD. And they fell all seven together in the first days of harvest: even in the beginning of barley harvest.

And when it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah the concubine of Saul had done, he went and took the bones of Saul, and of Jonathan his son, and of the men of Jabesh in Gilead, which they had stolen from the street of Bet-Shean, where the Philistines had hanged them in the days when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa. And he brought thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son, and they fetched away the bones of them that were hanged,

And they put to flight them of the valley both of the east side and also of the west. And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold of David. And David went out to them and answered and said to them, "If ye be come peaceably unto me, to help me, mine heart shall be together with you. But and if you come to beguile me and to be mine adversary, seeing there is no wickedness in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon and rebuke it."

Have I ever rejoiced at the hurt of mine enemy? Or was I ever glad, that any harm happened to him? Oh no. I never suffered my mouth to do such a sin, as to wish him evil.

Upon her righthand is long life, and upon her left hand is riches and honour. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peaceable. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her, and blessed are they that keep her fast.read more.
With wisdom hath the LORD laid the foundation of the earth, and through understanding hath he established the heavens.

Say not thou, "I will recompense evil"; but put thy trust in the LORD, and he shall defend thee.

And therefore strengthen the weak hands, and comfort the feeble knees. Say unto them that are of a fearful heart, "Be of good cheer, and fear not. Behold, your God cometh, to take vengeance, and to reward, God cometh his own self, and will deliver you."

Therefore I will beseech thee now, O LORD of Hosts, thou righteous judge, thou that tryest the reins and the hearts: let me see the avenged of them, for unto thee have I committed my cause.

Seeing I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, sayeth the LORD God; Turn you then, and ye shall live."

"Ye have heard how it is said, 'An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, That ye resist not wrong. But whosoever give thee a blow on thy right cheek, turn to him the other. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.read more.
And whosoever will compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh, and from him that would borrow, turn not away. "Ye have heard how it is said, 'Thou shalt love thine neighbor, and hate thine enemy.' But I say unto you, Love your enemies. Bless them that curse you. Do good to them that hate you. Pray for them which do you wrong and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your father that is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to arise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth his rain on the just and unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward shall ye have? Do not the Publicans even so? And if ye be friendly to your brethren only, what singular thing do ye? Do not the Publicans likewise? Ye shall therefore be perfect even as your father which is in heaven is perfect.

Then said Jesus unto him, "Put up thy sword into his sheath. For all they that lay hands on the sword, shall perish with the sword. Either thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my father, and he shall give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the scriptures be fulfilled? For so must it be."

And he said unto them, "Wheresoever ye enter into a house, there abide till ye depart thence. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust that is under your feet, for a witness unto them. I say verily unto you, it shall be easier for Sodom and Gomorra, at the day of judgment, than for that city."

"But I say unto you which hear: Love your enemies. Do good to them which hate you. Bless them that curse you. And pray for them which wrongfully trouble you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek, offer also the other. And him that taketh away thy gown, forbid not to take thy coat also.read more.
Give to every man that asketh of thee. And of him that taketh away thy goods, ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you: so do ye to them likewise. If ye love them which love you: what thank are ye worthy of? For the very sinners love their lovers. And if ye do for them which do for you: what thank are ye worthy of? For the very sinners do even the same. If ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive: what thank shall ye have: for the very sinners, lend to sinners, to receive as much again. Wherefore, love ye your enemies, do good, and lend, looking for nothing again: and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the highest: for he is kind unto the unkind, and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your father is merciful.

Yea, and why judge ye not of yourselves, what is right? While thou goest with thine adversary to the ruler: as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him, lest he bring thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the jailer, and the jailer cast thee into prison. I tell thee thou departest not thence, till thou have made good the utmost mite.

In that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the congregation. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword: and because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further, and took Peter also. Then were the days of sweetbread.read more.
And when he had caught him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to be kept, intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Then was Peter kept in prison. But prayer was made without ceasing of the congregation unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him out unto the people, the same night slept Peter between two soldiers, bound with two chains; And the keepers before the door kept the prison. And behold, the angel of the Lord was there present, and a light shined in the lodge. And he smote Peter on the side, and stirred him up, saying, "Arise up quickly." And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, "Gird thyself and bind on thy sandals." And so he did. And he said unto him, "Cast on thy mantle about thee, and follow me." And he came out, and followed him: and wist not that it was truth which was done by the angel; but thought he had seen a vision. When they were past the first and the second watch, they came unto the iron gate, that leadeth unto the city, which opened to them by his own accord. And they went out and passed through one street, and by and by the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, "Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the waiting for of the people of the Jews." And as he considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of one John, which was called Mark also, where many were gathered together in prayer.

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide aforehand things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, howbeit of your part, have peace with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves but give room unto the wrath of God. For it is written, "Vengeance is mine, and I will reward, saith the Lord."read more.
Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him: if he thirst, give him drink. For in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil: But overcome evil with goodness.

Me thinketh that God hath set forth us, which are apostles, for the lowest of all: as it were, men appointed to death. For we are a gazingstock unto the world, and to the angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, and ye are wise through Christ: we are weak, and ye are strong. Ye are honorable, and we are despised. Even unto this day we hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted with fists, and have no certain dwelling place,read more.
and labour working with our own hands. We are reviled, and yet we bless. We are persecuted, and suffer it. We are evil spoken of, and we pray. We are made as it were the filthiness of the world, the offscouring of all things, even unto this time.

How dare one of you having business with another, go to law under the wicked? And not rather under the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? If the world shall be judged by you: are ye not good enough to judge small trifles? Know ye not how that we shall judge the angels? How much more may we judge things that pertain to the life?read more.
If ye have judgments of worldly matters, take them which are despised in the congregation, and make them judges. This I say to your shame. Is there utterly no wise man among you? What, not one at all? That can judge between brother and brother? But one brother goeth to law with another: and that under the unbelievers? Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why rather suffer ye not wrong? Why rather suffer ye not yourselves to be robbed? Nay, ye yourselves do wrong, and rob: and that the brethren.

Brethren, be not children in wit. Howbeit, as concerning maliciousness be children: but in wit be perfect.

Be angry, but sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath,

that ye may be faultless, and pure, and the sons of God; without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and a perverse nation, among which see that ye shine as lights in the world,

It is verily a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you, and to you which are troubled, rest with us; when the Lord Jesus shall show himself from heaven, with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, rendering vengeance unto them that know not God, and to them that obey not unto the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,read more.
which shall be punished with everlasting damnation, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power,

He that despiseth Moses' law, dieth without mercy under two or three witnesses. Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be counted worthy, which treadeth underfoot the son of God: and counteth the blood of the testament as an unholy thing, wherewith he was sanctified, and doth dishonour to the spirit of grace. 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."read more.
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Wherefore, dear brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. For the wrath of man worketh not that which is righteous before God.

And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar, the souls of them that were killed for the word of God, and for the testimony which they had, and they cried with a loud voice saying, "How long tarriest thou Lord holy and true, to judge and to avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?" And long white garments were given unto every one of them. And it was said unto them that they should rest for a little season until the number of their fellows, and brethren, and of them that should be killed as they were, were fulfilled.