Matthew 5:38-39
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Teaching About Retaliation. 38 [a]“You have heard that it was said,(A) ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 (B)But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on [your] right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.
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- 5:38–42 See Lv 24:20. The Old Testament commandment was meant to moderate vengeance; the punishment should not exceed the injury done. Jesus forbids even this proportionate retaliation. Of the five examples that follow, only the first deals directly with retaliation for evil; the others speak of liberality.
Matthew 5:38-39
New King James Version
Go the Second Mile(A)
38 “You have heard that it was said, (B)‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 (C)But I tell you not to resist an evil person. (D)But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
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Matthew 5:38-39
King James Version
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
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