Matthew 5:43-48

The Sermon on the Mount: Love for Enemies

43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor' and 'Hate your enemy.'

44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

45 in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven, because he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust.

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

47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing that is remarkable? Do not the Gentiles also do the same?

48 Therefore you be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Footnotes

• [a] A quotation from Lev 19:18
• [b] An allusion to Deut 23:3-6