If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.
“If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again.
Exodus 23:4
“If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.”
— Exodus 23:4
Jesus raised the ceiling on enemy-love: pray for them, do good to them, leave vengeance to God. These verses are the hardest and most distinctive teaching in his portfolio. The fifteen verses below are the Bible's direct address to that situation, shown in full KJV text from Exodus 23:4 to Psalms 27:12.
Quick answer: The best-known verse about enemies here is Exodus 23:4: "If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again." Psalms 23:5 follows close behind: "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." Both are public-domain translations, shown in full on the cards below with a modern-English toggle.
If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.
“If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again.
Exodus 23:4
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over.
Psalms 23:5
By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.
By this I know that you delight in me, because my enemy doesn’t triumph over me.
Psalms 41:11
For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.
For he has delivered me out of all trouble. My eye has seen triumph over my enemies.
Psalms 54:7
Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.
Through God we will do valiantly, for it is he who will tread down our adversaries.
Psalms 60:12
For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.
In return for my love, they are my adversaries; but I am in prayer.
Psalms 109:4
He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
He rescues me from my enemies. Yes, you lift me up above those who rise up against me. You deliver me from the violent man.
Psalms 18:48
When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
When a man’s ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Proverbs 16:7
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
Proverbs 25:21
For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh will reward you.
Proverbs 25:22
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
Matthew 5:44
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
“But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
Luke 6:27
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse.
Romans 12:14
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.
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.”
Romans 12:20
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
Don’t deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen up against me, such as breathe out cruelty.
Psalms 27:12
Read these before the hard conversation rather than after — the Bible's relationship material works best as preventive care. They are also read in reconciliation seasons, where the forgiveness page pairs naturally with this one.
Each card toggles between the King James Version and the World English Bible — worth doing before quoting a verse at someone, since modern wording sometimes sharpens the duty you were about to assign. Copy the verse you will actually use.
A true random Bible verse from all 31,102 verses of the King James Version — one tap, no signup.
Pick a feeling or theme — anxiety, hope, strength — and get a Bible verse for it, from a curated list.
Today's verse in the King James Version — same verse all day, no repeats-for-clickbait, plus the archive.
Today's verse in the World English Bible — modern English, public domain, same daily schedule as the KJV page.
Turn any Bible verse into a shareable image — five styles, four sizes, download as PNG. Free, no signup.
Pick a plan — whole Bible in a year, NT in 90 days, Psalms in 30 — set a start date, get your day-by-day list.
Open packs of Bible verse cards — rarity, ATK and DEF come from how widely each verse is known. Free, no signup, nothing to buy.