³² And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.

²⁷ But I say to you who are listening now to Me: [^[a]in order to heed, make it a practice to] love your enemies, treat well (do good to, act nobly toward) those who detest you and pursue you with hatred,

²⁸ Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God’s blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you].

²⁹ To the one who strikes you on the ^[b]jaw or cheek, offer the other ^[c]jaw or cheek also; and from him who takes away your outer garment, do not withhold your undergarment as well.

³⁰ Give away to everyone who begs of you [who is ^[d]in want of necessities], and of him who takes away from you your goods, do not demand or require them back again.

³¹ And as you would like and desire that men would do to you, do exactly so to them.

³² If you [merely] love those who love you, what ^[e]quality of credit and thanks is that to you? For even ^[f]the [very] sinners love their lovers (those who love them).

³³ And if you are kind and good and do favors to and benefit those who are kind and good and do favors to and benefit you, what ^[g]quality of credit and thanks is that to you? For even ^[h]the preeminently sinful do the same.

³⁴ And if you lend money ^[i]at interest to those from whom you hope to receive, what ^[j]quality of credit and thanks is that to you? Even notorious sinners lend money ^[k]at interest to sinners, so as to recover as much again.

³⁵ But love your enemies and be kind and do good [doing favors ^[l]so that someone derives benefit from them] and lend, expecting and hoping for nothing in return but ^[m]considering nothing as lost and despairing of no one; and then your recompense (your reward) will be great (rich, strong, intense, and abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind and charitable and good to the ungrateful and the selfish and wicked.

³⁶ So be merciful (sympathetic, tender, responsive, and compassionate) even as your Father is [all these].

¹⁰ So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [^[a]morally] to all people [not only ^[b]being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God’s family with you, the believers].

⁴⁴ But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,^(A)

^45 [a]To show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers [alike].