Matthew 5:35-45

35 or by the earth, because it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King.

36 Neither should you swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black.

37 But let your word 'yes' be 'yes,' and your 'no' be 'no.' ^[a] Anything more than this is from the evil one.

Go the Second Mile

38 "You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. ^[b]

39 But I tell you, don't resist ^[c] an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

40 As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, ^[d] let him have your coat ^[e] as well.

41 And if anyone forces ^[f] you to go one mile, go with him two.

42 Give to the one who asks you, and don't turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love Your Enemies

43 "You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor ^[g] and hate your enemy.

44 But I tell you, love your enemies ^[h] and pray for those who ^[i] persecute you,

45 so that you may be ^[j] sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Footnotes

• [a] Say what you mean and mean what you say
• [b] Ex 21:24; Lv 24:20; Dt 19:21
• [c] Or don't set yourself against, or don't retaliate against
• [d] Lit tunic inner garment
• [e] Lit robe, or garment outer garment
• [f] Roman soldiers could require people to carry loads for them.
• [g] Lv 19:18
• [h] Other mss add bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you,
• [i] Other mss add mistreat you and
• [j] Or may become, or may show yourselves to be