30 Bible Verses about Vengeance

Whoever kills another person must be put to death. Whoever kills an animal must replace it, life for life. Should any of you injure another person, whatever you have done shall be done to you.read more.
If you break a bone, one of your bones must be broken. If you put out an eye, one of your eyes must be put out. Should you knock out a tooth, one of your teeth shall be knocked out. Whatever injury you cause another person must be done to you in return. Whoever kills an animal shall replace it, but whoever kills a human being shall be put to death. This law applies to all of you. It applies to Israelites and to foreigners living among you. I am Jehovah your God.'

I sharpen my flashing sword, and my hand takes hold on justice! I will render vengeance on my adversaries. I will repay those who hate me. I will make my arrows drunk with blood. My sword will devour flesh with the blood of the slain and the captives, from the longhaired leaders of the enemy. Rejoice you nations with his people. He will avenge the blood of his servants. He will render vengeance on his adversaries, and will atone for his land and his people.

My master, look at this! The border of your robe is in my hand! I cut off the border of your robe and did not kill you. You should know and be able to see I mean no harm or rebellion. I have not sinned against you! But you are trying to ambush me in order to take my life. I will let Jehovah decide which one of us has done right. I pray that Jehovah will punish you for what you are doing to me. However, I will not do anything to you. An old proverb says: 'Only evil people do evil things.' So I will not harm you.read more.
Why should the king of Israel be out chasing me, anyway? I am as worthless as a dead dog or a flea. I pray that Jehovah will help me escape and show that I am in the right. David, my son is that you? Saul asked. Then he started crying.

David started down the other side of the Mount of Olives. He met Ziba, the chief servant of Mephibosheth. Ziba had two donkeys that were carrying two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred figs, and some wine. What is all this? David asked. Ziba said: The donkeys are for your family to ride. The bread and fruit are for the people to eat. The wine is for them to drink in the desert when they are tired out. Where is your master Saul's grandson? The king asked. He stayed in Jerusalem, said Ziba. He said: Today the house of Israel will give me back my grandfather's kingdom.read more.
The king told Ziba: In that case everything that belonged to Mephibosheth now belongs to you. I sincerely thank you, said Ziba, I hope to remain in your good graces, Your Majesty. King David arrived at Bahurim. A man who was a distant cousin of Saul came out cursing. His name was Shimei, son of Gera. Shimei threw stones at David and his officials. This was in spite of the fact that his men and his bodyguards surrounded David. Shimei cursed him and said: Get out! Get out you murderer! You took Saul's kingdom. Now Jehovah is punishing you for murdering so many of Saul's family. Jehovah has given the kingdom to your son Absalom. You are ruined, you bloodthirsty murderer! Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king: Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over there and cut off his head! What business is this of yours? The king said to Abishai and his brother Joab. If Jehovah told him to curse me who am I to stop him? David said to Abishai and to all his officials: My own son is trying to kill me. Why should you be surprised at this Benjaminite? Jehovah told him to curse. Leave him alone and let him curse. Perhaps Jehovah will acknowledge my misery and give me some blessings to take away this curse. David and his men continued along the road. Shimei kept up with them. He walked on the hillside. He cursed and threw stones and dirt at them as he went. The king and all the people with him finally arrived at their destination and rested there.

There was a famine for three successive years during David's reign. David asked Jehovah for advice about it. Jehovah answered: It is because of Saul and his family. They are guilty of murder because they killed the people of Gibeon. The Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were left over from the Amorites. The Israelites swore to spare them. Saul, in his eagerness, tried to destroy them for Israel and Judah. The king called the Gibeonites. He asked them: What can I do for you? What shall I give you to make peace with you so that you will bless what belongs to Jehovah?read more.
The Gibeonites responded: Our quarrel with Saul and his family cannot be settled with silver or gold. We do not want to kill any Israelite. What do you want me to do? David asked. They answered: Saul wanted to destroy us and leave none of us alive anywhere in Israel. Hand over seven of his male descendants. We will hang them before Jehovah at Gibeah, the hometown of Saul, Jehovah's chosen king. The king responded: I will hand them over to you. David made a promise to Jonathan with Jehovah as his witness. He spared Jonathan's son Mephibosheth, the grandson of Saul. Saul and Rizpah the daughter of Aiah had two sons named Armoni and Mephibosheth. Saul's daughter Merab had five sons whose father was Adriel the son of Barzillai from Meholah. David took Rizpah's two sons and Merab's five sons. He turned them over to the Gibeonites. They hanged all seven of them on the mountain near the place where Jehovah was worshiped. This happened right at the beginning of the barley harvest.

[The Philistines killed Saul and Jonathan on Mount Gilboa and hung their bodies in the town square at Beth-Shan. The people of Jabesh in Gilead secretly took the bodies away.] David found out what Saul's wife Rizpah did. So he went to the leaders of Jabesh to get the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan. David took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead. They had stolen them from the public square of Beth Shean, where the Philistines hung them the day they killed Saul at Gilboa. David brought the bones of Saul and Jonathan. His men also gathered the bones of those who had been executed.

Others from Benjamin and Judah came to David at the stronghold. David went out to meet them and said: If you have come in peace to help me, we are friends. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when I am innocent, then may the God of our ancestors see and judge you.

If I have rejoiced at the ruin of those who hated me, or exulted when evil overtook them, I have not let my mouth sin by asking for their lives with a curse.

Long life is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways. All her paths are peace. She (wisdom) is a tree of life to those who hold her. Happy are all who keep her.read more.
In wisdom Jehovah founded the earth. In understanding he established the heavens.

Do not say: I will recompense evil. Instead wait on Jehovah, and he will save you.

Strengthen the tired hands and the knees that tremble with weakness. Tell the discouraged ones with anxious heart: Be strong and do not be afraid! God is coming to your rescue! He is coming to punish your enemies.

O Jehovah of Hosts, you are a fair judge. You test motives and thoughts. I want to see you take revenge on them. For that reason I presented my case to you.

I do not want anyone to die,' says the Lord Jehovah. 'Turn away from (repent of) your sins and live.'

You have heard it said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you, do not resist a wicked person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to that person. If someone takes you to court to sue you and takes your shirt, let him have your coat as well.read more.
Whoever makes you go one mile, go with him two. Give to those who ask. Lend to those who borrow. You have heard it said, 'You should love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' (Leviticus 19:18) I say love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! You will then act as true children of your Father in heaven. He gives sunlight to both evil and good people. He sends rain for the just and the unjust. What good is there, when you love only those who love you? Even [corrupt] tax collectors do that! When you are kind only to your friends [and brothers] what makes you different from anyone else? Even people of the nations do that. Be perfect (mature), even as your Father in heaven is perfect (mature). (Leviticus 19:2)

Jesus told him: Put your sword in its place. Those who take up the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think I cannot ask my Father for help? He would send me more than twelve legions of angels. How then will the scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this way?

He said: When someone invites you to enter into a house, stay there until you leave. When someone will not listen to you leave that house and shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony to the householder.

I tell you who listen, love your enemies and do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who despitefully use you. When someone slaps you on one cheek offer the other. Give your coat to the one who takes your topcoat.read more.
Give to every one who asks of you and do not demand back your goods from he who takes from you. As you would like men to do to you, do also to them. If you love those who love you what thanks do you have? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you what thanks do you have? Even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive what thanks do you have? Even sinners lend to sinners to receive again as much. Love your enemies and do good to them. Lend expecting nothing in return and your reward will be great. You will be sons of the Most High for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil. Be merciful even as your Father is merciful.

Why do you not judge what is right? For example when an opponent brings you to court, try to settle before you get there. Otherwise, he will drag you in front of a judge and the judge will hand you over to an officer who will throw you into prison. I tell you that you will not get out until you pay every penny of your fine.

At that time Herod the king mistreated those of the congregation. He killed James the brother of John with a sword. He saw that it pleased the Jews so he captured Peter also. This happened during the feast of unleavened bread.read more.
When he apprehended him, he put him in prison. He turned him over to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him. After Passover he would be presented to the people. Peter was kept in prison. Prayer was made without ceasing by the congregation to God for him. It was the night before Herod was to bring him to trial. Peter was sleeping between two soldiers. He was bound with two chains. Sentries stood guard at the prison door. Suddenly God's angel came to him. A light shined in the prison. He struck Peter on the side, and woke him up saying: Get up quickly. And his chains fell off of his hands. The angel said: Dress yourself and put on sandals. Put on your coat and follow me. So Peter did as he was told. Peter followed him out of the prison. He did not know what the angel was doing was really happening. He thought he saw a vision. They went past the first and second guard to the Iron Gate that leads to the city. The gate opened and went out on the street. The angel then departed from him. Peter came to himself and he said: Now I know for sure that God sent his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jews. After he thought about what happened he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, surnamed Mark. Many were gathered there to pray.

Return evil for evil to no man. Provide honest things in the sight of all men. When it is possible, be peaceable with all men. Dearly beloved, do not avenge yourselves, instead leave room for divine punishment, for it is written: Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says Jehovah. (Deuteronomy 32:35)read more.
Therefore if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he thirsts, give him drink. For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be evil, but overcome evil with good.

For I think that God has placed us apostles last as men appointed to death. We are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ. But you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honorable, but we are despised. Even to this present hour we both hunger and thirst. We are naked. We are treated badly and we are homeless.read more.
We labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; being slandered, we answer kindly. We are made as the filth of the world and are the refuse of all things to this day.

If you have a dispute with another [Christian] do you dare to go to a law court before judges who are ungodly? Why not let the holy ones decide who is right? Do you not know that the holy ones will judge the world? And if you will judge the world, are you unworthy to judge these small matters? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the matters that pertain to this life?read more.
If you have judgments of things pertaining to this life, would you appoint as judges those who mean nothing to the congregation? I speak to shame you. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? Not one who would be able to judge between his brothers? But brother goes to court against brother, and this before unbelievers. It is already a defeat for you that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not let yourself be wronged? Why not let your selves be defrauded (cheated)? Instead you do wrong and defraud, and you do this to your brothers and sisters!

Brothers, do not be like children in understanding. When it comes to evil be innocent children but in your thinking be mature adults.

Be angry and do not sin. Do not let the sun go down upon your anger (rage).

That way you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. You are seen as lights in the world.

It is a righteous thing for God to repay with affliction (great suffering and distress) those who afflict you. You who are afflicted rest with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire. They will render vengeance to those who do not know God, and to those who do not obey the good news of our Lord Jesus.read more.
They will suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the Lord and from the glory of his might.

He that despised Moses' Law died without mercy under two or three witnesses. What about those who despise the Son of God? Those who treat as a cheap thing the blood of God's covenant that purified them from sin? Those who insult the Spirit of grace? Think how much worse the punishment they deserve will be! We know who said: Vengeance is mine; I will repay; and who also said, Jehovah will judge his people. (Deuteronomy 32:35)read more.
It is a dreadful (terrible) thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

You know this, my beloved brothers. But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. The anger of man does not promote the righteousness of God.

When the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the persons who were slaughtered because of the word of God, and for the witness they gave. They cried with a loud voice, saying: How long, O Lord, holy and true, before you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth? Each of them was given a white robe. They were told that they should rest for a little while. [They were to wait] until the [number] of their fellow servants and their brothers, who would be killed, as they were, should be fulfilled.