14-16 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.

17-19 Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”

20-21 Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

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14 Bless those who persecute you;(A) bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.(B) 16 Live in harmony with one another.(C) Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.(D)

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil.(E) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.(F) 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.(G) 19 Do not take revenge,(H) my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[b](I) says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[c](J)

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 12:16 Or willing to do menial work
  2. Romans 12:19 Deut. 32:35
  3. Romans 12:20 Prov. 25:21,22