Ezekiel 25:17 is one of the few bible-verses that has made a thorough splash into mainstream culture. The reason for this is, of course, Quentin Tarantino's excellent film, Pulp Fiction.
The number of film-buffs who have memorised the phrase uttered multiple times by the Jules Winnfield character (as depicted by the legendary Samuel L. Jackson) from the 1994 blockbuster is mind-numbing - and there is no surprise as to why: Every time he says the phrase... well... in fact... Let's allow Jules to do the talking, shall we?
"There's a passage I got memorized. Ezekiel 25:17. "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you."
I been sayin' that shit for years. And if you ever heard it, it meant your ass. I never really questioned what it meant. I thought it was just a cold-blooded thing to say to a motherfucker before you popped a cap in his ass."
Obviously, with Jules being the epitome of cool - and the so-called Bible verse being the dog's bollocks (or the mutt's nuts, if you prefer) - there is no wonder that if there is any part of a religious work that will work itself into everyday language - or at least everyday knowledge of film buffs all around the world - has become an iconic piece of film history.
But where did Tarantino actually find this bible verse?
Many people are, in fact, surprised to find that there isn't actually a phrase anywhere like the phrase above in the Bible. For one thing, Ezekiel 25:17 is a lot shorter, but its content is also altered.
In fact, there is no such phrase in any bible... The truth is, of course, that Tarantino has given Jules some creative license on the quote, in order to sound like the hard-as-coffin-nails mofo he obviously is.
The quote appears as the following in various versions of the Bible:
The Bible - American Standard Version
And I will execute great vengeance upon them with wrathful rebukes; and they shall know that I am Jehovah, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them
The Bible - New International Version
I will carry out great vengeance on them and punish them in my wrath. Then they will know that I am the LORD , when I take vengeance on them.
The Bible - New American Standard Version
I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes; and they will know that I am the LORD when I lay My vengeance on them.
The Bible - The Message Version
Huge acts of vengeance, massive punishments! When I bring vengeance, they'll realize that I am GOD.
The Amplified Bible
And I will execute great vengeance upon them with wrathful rebukes and chastisements, and they shall know (understand and realize) that I am the Lord, when I lay My vengeance upon them.
The Bible - New Living Translation
I will execute terrible vengeance against them to rebuke them for what they have done. And when I have inflicted my revenge, then they will know that I am the LORD.
The Bible - King James Version / King James Bible
And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.
The Bible - New Life Version
I will punish them in My anger, and they will know that I am the Lord when I punish them.
The Holman Christian Standard Bible
I will execute great vengeance against them with furious rebukes. They will know that I am the LORD when I take My vengeance on them.
The Bible - English Standard Version
I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I lay my vengeance upon them.
The Bible - Contemporary English Version
In my fierce anger, I will take revenge on them. And when I punish them, they will know that I am the LORD.
The Bible - New King James Version
I will execute great vengeance on them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I lay My vengeance upon them.
The Bible - 21st Century King James Version
And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay My vengeance upon them.
The Bible - American Standard Version
And I will execute great vengeance upon them with wrathful rebukes; and they shall know that I am Jehovah, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them
The Bible - Young's Literal Translation
And done upon them great vengeance with furious reproofs, And they have known that I (am) Jehovah, In My giving out My vengeance on them!
The Bible - Darby Translation
And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I (am) Jehovah, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.
The Bible - New International Reader's Version
You can be sure that I will pay them back. I will punish them because my anger burns against them. When I pay them back, they will know that I am the Lord.
The Bible - New International Version - UK edition
I will carry out great vengeance on them and punish them in my wrath. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I take vengeance on them.
Arieh's translation:
And I will do upon them great vengences in the form of angry rebukes; and they will know I am GOD when I give my vengence to them.
Bible quotes courtesy of the Bible Gateway (www.biblegateway.com), movie quotes courtesy of Quentin Tarantino and Miramax Films International