Eye for Eye

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’^{[a](A) 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.^{(B) 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.^(C)

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil.^(A) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.^{(B) 18} If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.^{(C) 19} Do not take revenge,^(D) my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[a](E) says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

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

Final Instructions

¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard^(A) among you, who care for you in the Lord^(B) and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.^{(C) 14} And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle^(D) and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,^(E) be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong,^(F) but always strive to do what is good for each other^(G) and for everyone else.

Suffering for Doing Good

⁸ Finally, all of you, be like-minded,^(A) be sympathetic, love one another,^(B) be compassionate and humble.^{(C) 9} Do not repay evil with evil^(D) or insult with insult.^(E) On the contrary, repay evil with blessing,^(F) because to this^(G) you were called^(H) so that you may inherit a blessing.^{(I) 10} For,

¹³ Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?^{(K) 14} But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.^(L) “Do not fear their threats^[b]; do not be frightened.”^[c](M)