Teaching about Love for Enemies^(A)

²⁷ “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. ²⁸ Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who insult you. ²⁹ If someone strikes you on the cheek, offer him the other one as well, and if someone takes your coat, don’t keep back your shirt, either. ³⁰ Keep on giving to everyone who asks you for something, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not insist on getting it back. ³¹ Whatever you want people to do for you, do the same for them.

³² “If you love those who love you, what thanks do you deserve? Why, even sinners love those who love them. ³³ If you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks do you deserve? Even sinners do that. ³⁴ If you lend to those from whom you expect to get something back, what thanks do you deserve? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back what they lend. ³⁵ Instead, love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind even to ungrateful and evil people. ³⁶ Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”