Oaths

³³ “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath,^(A) but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’^{(B) 34} But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all:^(C) either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;^{(D) 35} or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.^{(E) 36} And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. ³⁷ All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’;^(F) anything beyond this comes from the evil one.^[a](G)

Eye for Eye

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’^{[b](H) 39} But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.^{(I) 40} And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹ If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.^(J)

Love for Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[c](K) and hate your enemy.’^(L)

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)

⁴⁵ that you may be children^(A) 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.^{(B) 46} If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?^(C) Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

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. ³⁶ Be merciful,^(E) just as your Father^(F) is merciful.

⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.^(A)