Love for Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[a](A) and hate your enemy.’^{(B) 44} But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,^{(C) 45} that you may be children^(D) of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.^(E)

⁴ “If you come across your enemy’s^(A) ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to return it.^{(B) 5} If you see the donkey^(C) of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it.

Love for Enemies^(A)

²⁷ “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,^{(B) 28} bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.^(C)

³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you?^(A) Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. ³⁵ But love your enemies, do good to them,^(B) and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children^(C) of the Most High,^(D) because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

³⁴ Jesus said, “Father,^(A) forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”^[a](B) And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.^(C)

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you;^(A) bless and do not curse.

²⁰ On the contrary:

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

²³ When they hurled their insults at him,^(A) he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.^(B) Instead, he entrusted himself^(C) to him who judges justly.^(D)