# Is “Vengeance is mine” in the Bible?

> Yes. “Vengeance is mine” is in the Bible, at Romans 12:19.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/vengeance-is-mine
By Andrew Kittridge · November 9, 2026

God says it in the song of Moses, and Paul quotes it to the church in Rome.

## The verse

> Beloved, do not avenge yourselves; instead make room for wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” says the Lord.
>
> — [Romans 12:19](https://www.lumin.faith/read/romans/12#19) (Lumin Translation)

These exact words are in 2 verses of the Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible.

## What it means there

It is a reason not to take revenge. Paying back wrong belongs to God, so Paul says to make room for him and to feed your enemy instead (Romans 12:20).

## Also in the Bible

> Vengeance is mine, and repayment, at the time their foot slips. For the day of their disaster is near, and their doom is rushing toward them.’
>
> — [Deuteronomy 32:35](https://www.lumin.faith/read/deuteronomy/32#35) (Lumin Translation)

> For we know the one who said, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”
>
> — [Hebrews 10:30](https://www.lumin.faith/read/hebrews/10#30) (Lumin Translation)

## Common questions

### Is “Vengeance is mine” in the Bible?

Yes. “Vengeance is mine” is in the Bible, at Romans 12:19. These exact words are in 2 verses of the Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible. God says it in the song of Moses, and Paul quotes it to the church in Rome.

### Where in the Bible is “Vengeance is mine”?

In Romans 12:19, and also Deuteronomy 32:35 and Hebrews 10:30. In the Lumin Translation, Romans 12:19 reads: “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves; instead make room for wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” says the Lord.”

### Who said “Vengeance is mine”?

God says it in the song of Moses, and Paul quotes it to the church in Rome.

### What does “Vengeance is mine” mean in the Bible?

It is a reason not to take revenge. Paying back wrong belongs to God, so Paul says to make room for him and to feed your enemy instead (Romans 12:20).

## More

- [Is “You reap what you sow” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/you-reap-what-you-sow.md)
- [Where is “Do not be anxious about anything” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/do-not-be-anxious-about-anything.md)
- [Where is “With God all things are possible” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/with-god-all-things-are-possible.md)
- [Where is “Come to me, all who are weary” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/come-to-me-all-who-are-weary.md)
- [Where is “He heals the brokenhearted” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/he-heals-the-brokenhearted.md)
- [Where is “Search me, O God, and know my heart” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/search-me-o-god-and-know-my-heart.md)
- [Where is “Teach us to number our days” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/teach-us-to-number-our-days.md)
- [Where is “Trust in the Lord with all your heart” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/trust-in-the-lord-with-all-your-heart.md)
- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)