Violence

Violence is the use of force to harm others. Violence and those who love it are condemned, and a time is coming when violence will end.

God hates violence

• Psalm 11:5
  The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked; His soul hates the lover of violence.
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• Proverbs 6:16-17
  ¹⁶These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: ¹⁷A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
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• Genesis 6:11-13
  ¹¹The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and full of violence. ¹²And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.And God looked upon the earth and saw that it was corrupt; for all living creatures on the earth had corrupted their ways. ¹³And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.Then God said to Noah, “The end of all living creatures has come before Me, because through them the earth is full of violence. Now behold, I will destroy both them and the earth.
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The way of the violent

• Psalm 140:1
  Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence,
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• Proverbs 16:29
  A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
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• Proverbs 1:10-16
  ¹⁰My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield to them. ¹¹If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause, ¹²Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit. ¹³We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:We will find all manner of precious goods; we will fill our houses with plunder. ¹⁴Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:Throw in your lot with us; let us all share one purse”— ¹⁵My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:my son, do not walk the road with them or set foot upon their path. ¹⁶For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.For their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed blood.
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• Proverbs 4:17
  For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
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Violence returns on the violent

• Psalm 7:16
  His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.His trouble recoils on himself, and his violence falls on his own head.
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• Matthew 26:52
  Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
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• Proverbs 21:7
  The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.
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Do violence to no man

• 1 Timothy 3:3
  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.
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• Titus 1:7
  For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.
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• Luke 3:14
  And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” “Do not take money by force or false accusation,” he said. “Be content with your wages.”
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Peace instead of violence

• Romans 12:17-21
  ¹⁷Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. ¹⁸If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰Therefore 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.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.” ²¹Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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• Matthew 5:9
  Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
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• Matthew 5:38-39
  ³⁸Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ ³⁹But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;
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The end of violence

• Isaiah 60:18
  Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders. But you will name your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.
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• Isaiah 2:4
  And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.Then He will judge between the nations and arbitrate for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor train anymore for war.
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• Isaiah 11:9
  They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the sea is full of water.
  Show context · Read Isaiah 11 →

See also

• Murder
• Anger
• War
• Revenge
• Self-defense

Notes

1. Verses are quoted in the translation chosen in the Translation menu at the top of the page. See Translations for sources and copyright notices.
2. Each reference links to the full chapter so the verse can be read in context.