1 Peter 3:9
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.

English Standard Version
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

Berean Standard Bible
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Berean Literal Bible
not repaying evil for evil or insult for insult; but on the contrary blessing, because to this you were called, so that you should inherit blessing.

King James Bible
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

New King James Version
not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

New American Standard Bible
not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing.

NASB 1995
not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.

NASB 1977
not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.

Legacy Standard Bible
not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but giving a blessing instead, for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.

Amplified Bible
and never return evil for evil or insult for insult [avoid scolding, berating, and any kind of abuse], but on the contrary, give a blessing [pray for one another’s well-being, contentment, and protection]; for you have been called for this very purpose, that you might inherit a blessing [from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection].

Christian Standard Bible
not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing.

American Standard Version
not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And you should not repay a person evil for evil, neither insults for insults; but to the contrary of these things, give blessings, for you are called to this, that you would inherit blessing.

Contemporary English Version
Don't be hateful and insult people just because they are hateful and insult you. Instead, treat everyone with kindness. You are God's chosen ones, and he will bless you. The Scriptures say,

Douay-Rheims Bible
Not rendering evil for evil, nor railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing: for unto this are you called, that you may inherit a blessing.

English Revised Version
not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Don't pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you, or ridicule those who ridicule you. Instead, bless them, because you were called to inherit a blessing.

Good News Translation
Do not pay back evil with evil or cursing with cursing; instead, pay back with a blessing, because a blessing is what God promised to give you when he called you.

International Standard Version
Do not pay others back evil for evil or insult for insult. Instead, keep blessing them, because you were called to inherit a blessing.

Literal Standard Version
not giving back evil for evil, or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, blessing, having known that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing;

Majority Standard Bible
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, knowing that to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

New American Bible
Do not return evil for evil, or insult for insult; but, on the contrary, a blessing, because to this you were called, that you might inherit a blessing.

NET Bible
Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing.

New Revised Standard Version
Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing.

New Heart English Bible
not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but instead blessing; because to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing.

Webster's Bible Translation
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but on the contrary, blessing; knowing that ye are called to this, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Weymouth New Testament
not requiting evil with evil nor abuse with abuse, but, on the contrary, giving a blessing in return, because a blessing is what you have been called by God to inherit.

World English Bible
not rendering evil for evil or insult for insult; but instead blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

Young's Literal Translation
not giving back evil for evil, or railing for railing, and on the contrary, blessing, having known that to this ye were called, that a blessing ye may inherit;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Turning from Evil
8Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.…

Cross References
Genesis 42:25
Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to return each man's silver to his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. This order was carried out,

1 Samuel 26:11
But the LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD's anointed. Instead, take the spear and water jug by his head, and let us go."

Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, "I will avenge this evil!" Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.

Proverbs 28:10
He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.

Luke 6:28
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:30
And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.


Treasury of Scripture

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that you are thereunto called, that you should inherit a blessing.

rendering.

1 Peter 2:20-23
For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God…

Proverbs 17:13
Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

Proverbs 20:22
Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.

called.

1 Peter 2:21
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1 Peter 5:10
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

See on

Romans 8:28,30
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose…

that.

Matthew 19:29
And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Matthew 25:34
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Mark 10:17
And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

Jump to Previous
Abuse Bless Blessing Contrariwise Contrary Curse Cursing Evil Inherit Instead Insult Obtain Others Purpose Railing Rendering Repay Requiting Returning Reviling Thereunto
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Abuse Bless Blessing Contrariwise Contrary Curse Cursing Evil Inherit Instead Insult Obtain Others Purpose Railing Rendering Repay Requiting Returning Reviling Thereunto
1 Peter 3
1. He teaches the duty of wives and husbands to each other;
8. exhorting all men to unity and love;
14. and to suffer persecution.
19. He declares also the benefits of Christ toward the old world.














(9) Not rendering.--So far St. Peter has been speaking of internal conduct. The two last adjectives, however, lead gradually into the wider field of conduct, and probably now he is thinking solely of relation to the adverse world. Among the Christians surely there would be no "evil" or "railing" to provoke a retort! "Evil," in act; "railing," in word. (See 1Peter 2:23, and Romans 12:17.)

But contrariwise blessing.--No doubt a reminiscence of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:44). The word "blessing" here is not substantive, but a participle, opposed to "rendering:" "not rendering them evil or railing, but on the contrary blessing them." Though the word is chosen as the exact opposite of the bad language used against the Christians, "blessing" may perhaps involve the opposite of unkind action as well. It is used for the conferring of benefits: (1) spiritual, in Acts 3:26; Galatians 3:8; (2) material, in 2Corinthians 9:5, (Comp. 2Kings 5:15; Joel 2:14 : Haggai 2:19.) . . .

Verse 9. - Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing. St. Peter. like St. Paul (Romans 12:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:15), repeats his Master's teaching in the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5:39). He forbids revenge in word, as well as in deed. But contrariwise blessing. The word "blessing" is not the substantive, but the participle (εὐλογοῦντες), and thus corresponds with the participle "rendering" (comp. Matthew 5:44, "Bless them that curse you"). Knowing that ye are thereunto called; rather, as in the Revised Version, for hereunto were ye called. The word "knowing" is omitted in the best manuscripts (comp. 1 Peter 2:21). Some commentators take these words with the preceding: "Ye were called to bless others, that so ye may inherit a blessing." But, on the whole, it seems better to connect them with the following clause: That ye should inherit a blessing. Christians bless others, not in order that they should inherit a blessing, but because it is God's will and their duty; and that duty follows from the fact that God has made them inheritors of his blessing. "Benedictionem aeternam," says Bengel, "cujus primitias jam nunc pit habent." God has blessed them; therefore they must bless others.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Do not repay
ἀποδιδόντες (apodidontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 591: From apo and didomi; to give away, i.e. Up, over, back, etc.

evil
κακὸν (kakon)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2556: Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.

with
ἀντὶ (anti)
Preposition
Strong's 473: A primary particle; opposite, i.e. Instead or because of.

evil
κακοῦ (kakou)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 2556: Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

insult
λοιδορίαν (loidorian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3059: Reviling, abuse. From loidoros; slander or vituperation.

with
ἀντὶ (anti)
Preposition
Strong's 473: A primary particle; opposite, i.e. Instead or because of.

insult,
λοιδορίας (loidorias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3059: Reviling, abuse. From loidoros; slander or vituperation.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

with blessing,
εὐλογοῦντες (eulogountes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2127: (lit: I speak well of) I bless; pass: I am blessed. From a compound of eu and logos; to speak well of, i.e. to bless.

because
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

this
τοῦτο (touto)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

you were called
ἐκλήθητε (eklēthēte)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2564: (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.

so that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

you may inherit
κληρονομήσητε (klēronomēsēte)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2816: To inherit, obtain (possess) by inheritance, acquire. From kleronomos; to be an heir to.

a blessing.
εὐλογίαν (eulogian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2129: Adulation, praise, blessing, gift.


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NT Letters: 1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil or reviling (1 Pet. 1P iP i Pet)
1 Peter 3:8
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