# Romans 12.21

<!-- type: passage | created: 2026-05-31 | updated: 2026-05-31 -->

**Book:** [Romans](/codex/romans/) · ASV / WEB / KJV / YLT

**ASV** ([ASV](/codex/asv/))
> 19. Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. 20. But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head.
>
> **21. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."** (Romans 12:19-21, ASV)

**WEB** ([WEB](/codex/web/))
> 19. Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” 20. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
>
> **21. Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."** (Romans 12:19-21, WEB)

**KJV** ([KJV](/codex/kjv/))
> 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. 20. 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.
>
> **21. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."** (Romans 12:19-21, KJV)

**YLT** ([YLT](/codex/ylt/))
> 19. not avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to the wrath, for it hath been written, 'Vengeance [is] Mine, 20. I will recompense again, saith the Lord;' if, then, thine enemy doth hunger, feed him; if he doth thirst, give him drink; for this doing, coals of fire thou shalt heap upon his head;
>
> **21. Be not overcome by the evil, but overcome, in the good, the evil."** (Romans 12:19-21, YLT)

<!-- BACKLINKS:START -->
## Quoted in

**Arguments and defeaters:**

- [Argument from Sanctity](/codex/argument-from-sanctity/), via [Romans 12.14-21](/codex/romans-12-14-21/)
- [Forced Conversion By Sword Objection Defeater](/codex/forced-conversion-by-sword-objection-defeater/), via [Romans 12.17-21](/codex/romans-12-17-21/)
- [Harm-Reduction Cannot Ground Morality (Defeater)](/codex/harm-reduction-cannot-ground-morality-defeater/), via [Romans 12.19-21](/codex/romans-12-19-21/)
- [Hypatia Murder Objection Defeater](/codex/hypatia-murder-objection-defeater/), via [Romans 12.19-21](/codex/romans-12-19-21/)
- [Mohammed Killed Mockers Objection Defeater](/codex/mohammed-killed-mockers-objection-defeater/), via [Romans 12.14-21](/codex/romans-12-14-21/)
- [Religion Causes Violence Objection Defeater](/codex/religion-causes-violence-objection-defeater/), via [Romans 12.17-21](/codex/romans-12-17-21/)

**Concepts:**

- [Biblical Forgiveness](/codex/biblical-forgiveness/), via [Romans 12.17-21](/codex/romans-12-17-21/)
- [Quick Objection Responses](/codex/quick-objection-responses/)
- [The Crusades](/codex/the-crusades/), via [Romans 12.19-21](/codex/romans-12-19-21/)

**Lexicon:**

- [H2896 - tov](/codex/h2896-tov/)

<!-- BACKLINKS:END -->
## Notes