Matthew 5:38-48

Retaliation

38 ¹“You have heard that it was said, ²‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. ’

39 But I say to you, ³Do not resist the one who is evil. But ⁴if anyone ⁵slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40 And ⁶if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, ^[a] let him have your cloak as well.

41 And if anyone ⁷forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

42 ⁸Give to the one who begs from you, and ⁹do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Love Your Enemies

43 ¹⁰“You have heard that it was said, ¹¹‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. ’

44 But I say to you, ¹²Love your enemies and ¹³pray for those who persecute you,

45 ¹⁴so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and ¹⁵sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 ¹⁶For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

47 And if you greet only your brothers, ^[b] what more are you doing than others? Do not even ¹⁷the Gentiles do the same?

48 ¹⁸You therefore must be ¹⁹perfect, ²⁰as your heavenly Father is perfect.