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"1You have heard that it was said, '2YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR3and hate your enemy.'
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"But I say to you, 4love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
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so that you may be 5sons of your Fatherwho is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendsrain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
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"For 6if you lovethose who love you, whatrewarddo you have? Do not even the taxcollectorsdo the same?
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"If you greetonly your brothers, whatmore are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentilesdo the same?
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"Therefore7you are to be perfect, as your heavenlyFather is perfect.