⁹ Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse, but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing.^(A)

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

²³ When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.^(A)

Love for Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’^{(A) 44} But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,^(B)

²² But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister,^[a] you will be liable to judgment, and if you insult^[b] a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council, and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell^[c] of fire.^(A)

⁹ With it we bless the Lord^[a] and Father, and with it we curse people, made in the likeness of God.^{(A) 10} From the same mouth comes a blessing and a curse. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.

⁶ And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of life, and is itself set on fire by hell.^[a](A)

³⁶ I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter,

⁶ Do not let your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake; why should God be angry at your words and destroy the work of your hands?