Romans 12:20 “On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty,…”

Romans 12:20

On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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.

World English Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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.

Geneva Bible 1599

Therefore, if thine enemie hunger, feede him: if he thirst, giue him drinke: for in so doing, thou shalt heape coales of fire on his head.

Darby Translation

If therefore thine enemy should hunger, feed him; if he should thirst, give him drink; for, so doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head.

Young's Literal Translation

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;

Bible in Basic English

But if one who has hate for you is in need of food or of drink, give it to him, for in so doing you will put coals of fire on his head.

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Cross references

“if thine”

Matthew 5:44 1 Samuel 24:16–19 1 Samuel 26:21 Exodus 23:4 Exodus 23:5 Proverbs 25:21

Matthew 5:44 · BSB

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

1 Samuel 24:16–19 · BSB

When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud

1 Samuel 26:21 · BSB

Then Saul replied, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. I will never harm you again, because today you considered my life precious. I have played the fool and have committed a grave error!”

Exodus 23:4 · BSB

If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him.

Exodus 23:5 · BSB

If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.

Proverbs 25:21 · BSB

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

“coals”

Psalm 140:10 Psalm 120:4 Song of Solomon 8:6 Song of Solomon 8:7

Psalm 140:10 · BSB

May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into the miry pits, never to rise again.

Psalm 120:4 · BSB

Sharp arrows will come from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree!

Song of Solomon 8:6 · BSB

Set me as a seal over your heart, as a seal upon your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as unrelenting as Sheol. Its sparks are fiery flames, the fiercest blaze of all.

Song of Solomon 8:7 · BSB

Mighty waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If a man were to give all the wealth of his house for love, his offer would be utterly scorned.

Also

Luke 6:27 2 Kings 6:22

Luke 6:27 · BSB

But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

2 Kings 6:22 · BSB

“Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.”

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

19Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

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

Read Romans 12