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The Testament of Gad says that when someone continues doing wrong, they should still be forgiven, knowing God will judge them. Paul in Romans follows the same principle, urging that evil should not be repaid with evil and that judgment belongs to God.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Testament of Gad 6:6
Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs
Pseudepigrapha
5 Do not let another man hear your private words during a dispute, or he may come to hate you and become your enemy and commit a great sin against you, for often he speaks to you deceitfully or busies himself about you with wicked intent. And if he denies it but shows shame when rebuked, stop rebuking him. 6 For the one who denies it may repent and not wrong you again; he may even honor you, fear, and be at peace with you. And if he is shameless and persists in his wrongdoing, even then forgive him from the heart, and leave the vengeance to God.
Romans 12:17
New Testament
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people. 19 Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head. 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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Notes and References
"... Testament of Gad 6:7 urges forgiveness even of the one who persists in wrongdoing, adding, "and leave vengeance to God" (Charlesworth 1983, 1:816). The hymn that concludes the Community Rule found at Qumran includes these lines (1QS 10:17, Vermes 1995, 85): I will pay no man the reward of evil; I will pursue him with goodness. For judgment of all things is with God and it is He who will render to man his reward. In this whole legacy, vengeance is forbidden, not because it is morally destructive, but because it pre-empts the role of God ..."
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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