Old Testament
Ezekiel 18:21-23
21 “But if the wicked turns from all his sins that he has committed, and keeps all my statutes, and does that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live. He shall not die.
22 None of his transgressions that he has committed will be remembered against him. In his righteousness that he has done, he shall live.
23 Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked?” says the Lord GOD, “and not rather that he should return from his way, and live?
New Testament
Romans 12:17-21
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honourable in the sight of all men.
18 If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.
19 Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”
20 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.”
21 Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Ezekiel insists that God is not delighted by destruction. The Lord calls the wicked to turn and live. Repentance is not erased consequences, but it is a real change, and God says he takes no pleasure in death. Justice, then, is not a hunger to crush; it is a hope for life.
Lord, give wisdom to those shaping justice systems. Keep us from revenge dressed as righteousness. Teach us to seek outcomes that protect the vulnerable and open the door to repentance and repair, for the common good.
Romans 12 presses the same direction: do not repay evil for evil; leave room for God; feed your enemy; overcome evil with good. νικάω is the verb: not to be overcome by evil, but to conquer it with goodness. That is not weakness. It is a refusal to let harm set the terms, and a refusal to let hatred feel like clarity.
Restorative justice is hard work because it must hold together truth, protection, accountability, and a future. It honours victims by naming wrong plainly and resourcing care. It honours society by restraining violence. And it honours offenders by insisting they are responsible and still capable of turning, with support and supervision.