⁹ Do not repay evil with evil^(A) or insult with insult.^(B) On the contrary, repay evil with blessing,^(C) because to this^(D) you were called^(E) so that you may inherit a blessing.^(F)

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you;^(A) bless and do not curse.

²³ When they hurled their insults at him,^(C) he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.^(D) Instead, he entrusted himself^(E) to him who judges justly.^(F)

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)

²² But I tell you that anyone who is angry^(A) with a brother or sister^[a][b] will be subject to judgment.^(B) Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’^[c] is answerable to the court.^(C) And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.^(D)

⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.^{(A) 10} Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

⁶ The tongue also is a fire,^(A) a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body,^(B) sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.^(C)

³⁶ But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.