12:21a

Do not be overcome by evil: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

Evil must not overcome you
-or-
Do not let evil defeat you (Good News Translation)

overcome: This word refers to winning a fight or contest. Here it indicates that evil could become the ruler over our deeds and words, and so we do and say evil things. Here are other ways to translate this word:

conquered (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
gain victory

evil: The Greek word here refers to harm that someone has done to you. See how you translated this word at 12:17.

12:21b

but: Some languages will not see “overcome evil with good” as contrasting with “do not be overcome by evil.” For example, the Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation omits this word.

overcome evil with good: The believer is to do and say good things. That defeats the evil that tries to rule his life.

evil: The Greek word here refers to harm that someone has done to you, as in 12:21a.

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