Revenge is one of the most deeply human impulses. When someone hurts us, betrays our trust, or causes us pain, the natural response is to want them to feel the same suffering they inflicted on us. But the Bible speaks clearly and powerfully about revenge — and what God’s Word has to say might surprise you, challenge you, and ultimately set you free.
Whether you’re struggling with anger toward someone who wronged you or you’re searching for peace after a painful experience, these Bible verses about revenge will guide your heart toward God’s better way.
Bible Verses About Revenge
Here are 31 powerful scriptures that address revenge, justice, and the call to trust God with our pain.
1. Romans 12:19 — “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.”
2. Proverbs 20:22 — “Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.”
3. Matthew 5:44 — “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
4. Leviticus 19:18 — “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.”
5. Romans 12:17 — “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.”
6. 1 Peter 3:9 — “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.”
7. Proverbs 24:29 — “Do not say, ‘I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.'”
8. Matthew 5:39 — “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.”
9. Luke 6:27-28 — “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
10. Deuteronomy 32:35 — “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.”
11. Proverbs 25:21-22 — “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”
12. Psalm 94:1 — “The Lord is a God who avenges. O God who avenges, shine forth.”
13. Romans 12:21 — “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
14. Micah 5:15 — “I will take vengeance in anger and wrath on the nations that have not obeyed me.”
15. Hebrews 10:30 — “For we know him who said, ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ and again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.'”
16. Nahum 1:2 — “The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath.”
17. Psalm 37:8 — “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret — it leads only to evil.”
18. Colossians 3:13 — “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
19. Ephesians 4:31-32 — “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
20. Matthew 6:14-15 — “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
21. Luke 6:35 — “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.”
22. James 1:19-20 — “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
23. Psalm 37:1 — “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong.”
24. Isaiah 35:4 — “Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.'”
25. Proverbs 16:7 — “When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.”
26. 2 Thessalonians 1:6 — “God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you.”
27. Psalm 7:11 — “God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day.”
28. 1 Samuel 24:12 — “May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.”
29. Lamentations 3:60 — “You have seen the depth of their vengeance, all their plots against me.”
30. Ezekiel 25:17 — “I will carry out great vengeance on them and punish them in my wrath. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I take vengeance on them.”
31. Psalm 18:47 — “He is the God who avenges me, who subdues nations under me.”
Also Read This Bible: 31 Powerful Bible Verses About Healing
Our Thoughts On Bible Verses About Revenge
The message running through all of these Bible verses about revenge is consistent and clear — vengeance belongs to God, not to us. That doesn’t mean your pain isn’t real. It doesn’t mean what was done to you doesn’t matter. It absolutely does. But holding onto the desire for revenge keeps you spiritually and emotionally chained to the very person who hurt you.
When we seek revenge, we step out of God’s authority and try to take matters into our own hands. We end up carrying a burden that was never meant for us. The Bible consistently calls us to trust that God sees every injustice, every wound, and every tear — and that He is a perfectly righteous judge who will settle all accounts in His time.
Forgiveness is not excusing what someone did. It is releasing your right to punish them and handing that responsibility over to God. This is an act of tremendous faith and courage. It frees you to move forward with peace in your heart, knowing that justice is not lost — it is simply in better hands than yours.
Say This Prayer
Lord, I come before You carrying the weight of hurt, anger, and the temptation to seek revenge against those who have wronged me. Your Word says that vengeance belongs to You, and today I choose to trust that promise. I release the desire to repay evil with evil.
I choose forgiveness — not because what was done to me was okay, but because I trust You to be my defender and my judge. Heal my heart, Lord. Replace my bitterness with peace and my anger with love. Help me to pray for those who have hurt me and to overcome evil with good, just as Your Word commands. I surrender this burden to You completely. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Akash is a dedicated writer from the USA, committed to sharing insightful and inspiring Bible verses. With a focus on faith, spiritual growth, and daily encouragement, he aims to provide readers with meaningful scripture reflections to strengthen their relationship with God and enrich their devotional journey.