⁴⁴ But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,^(A)

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

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)

Love for Enemies

²⁷ “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you;^{(A) 28} bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you.^(B)

²⁰ Instead, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink, for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

[[³⁴ Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”]]^[a] And they cast lots to divide his clothing.^(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)

⁶⁰ Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.^[a](A)

³⁴ If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive payment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. ³⁵ Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.^[a] Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.^(A)