²⁶ Then God said, ^(A)“Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; ^(B)let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over ^[a]all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” ²⁷ So God created man ^(C)in His own image; in the image of God He created him; ^(D)male and female He created them. ²⁸ Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ^(E)“Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and ^(F)subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that ^[b]moves on the earth.”

Believers Are Salt and Light^(A)

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth; ^(B)but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

^14 (C)“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they ^(D)light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, ^(E)that they may see your good works and ^(F)glorify your Father in heaven.

Go the Second Mile^(A)

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ^(B)‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ ^39 (C)But I tell you not to resist an evil person. ^(D)But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. ⁴⁰ If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. ⁴¹ And whoever ^(E)compels you to go one mile, go with him two. ⁴² Give to him who asks you, and ^(F)from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

Love Your Enemies^(G)

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ^(H)‘You shall love your neighbor ^(I)and hate your enemy.’ ^44 [a]But I say to you, ^(J)love your enemies, bless those who curse you, ^(K)do good to those who hate you, and pray ^(L)for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for ^(M)He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ^46 (N)For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet your ^[b]brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the ^[c]tax collectors do so? ^48 (O)Therefore you shall be perfect, just ^(P)as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Behave Like a Christian

^9 (A)Let love be without hypocrisy. ^(B)Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ^10 (C)Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, ^(D)in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ^12 (E)rejoicing in hope, ^(F)patient^[a] in tribulation, ^(G)continuing steadfastly in prayer; ^13 (H)distributing to the needs of the saints, ^(I)given^[b] to hospitality.

^14 (J)Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ^15 (K)Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ^16 (L)Be of the same mind toward one another. ^(M)Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

^17 (N)Repay no one evil for evil. ^(O)Have^[c] regard for good things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, ^(P)live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Beloved, ^(Q)do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ^(R)“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ Therefore

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but ^(T)overcome evil with good.

Pray for All Men

2 Therefore I ^[a]exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ^2 (A)for kings and ^(B)all who are in ^[b]authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and ^[c]reverence.