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) 46} If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?^(F) 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?

Love for Enemies^(A)

²⁷ “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,^(B)

³⁵ But love your enemies, do good to them,^(A) and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children^(B) of the Most High,^(C) 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)