Heaven Is God’s Throne

66 Thus says the Lord,

³⁴ But I say to you, ^(A)make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is ^(B)the throne of God, ³⁵ or by the earth, for it is the ^(C)footstool of His feet, or ^[a]by Jerusalem, for it is ^(D)the city of the great King. ³⁶ Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. ³⁷ But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is ^[b]of ^(E)evil.

³⁸ “^(F)You have heard that it was said, ‘^(G)An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but ^(H)whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. ⁴⁰ If anyone wants to sue you and take your ^[c]shirt, let him have your ^[d]coat also. ⁴¹ Whoever ^[e]forces you to go one mile, go with him two. ^42 (I)Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

⁴³ “^(J)You have heard that it was said, ‘^(K)You shall love your neighbor ^(L)and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, ^(M)love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may ^[f]be ^(N)sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ For ^(O)if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? ⁴⁸ Therefore ^[g](P)you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.