38 (A)You have heard that it was said, ‘(B)Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not show opposition against an evil person; but (C)whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your [a]tunic, let him have your [b]cloak also. 41 Whoever [c]forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 (D)Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

43 (E)You have heard that it was said, ‘(F)You shall love your neighbor (G)and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, (H)love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may prove yourselves to be (I)sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For (J)if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors, do they not do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Even the Gentiles, do they not do the same? 48 Therefore (K)you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:40 A long shirt worn next to the skin
  2. Matthew 5:40 Or outer garment
  3. Matthew 5:41 Lit will force

Eye for Eye

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[a](A) 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.(B) 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.(C)

Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[b](D) and hate your enemy.’(E) 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,(F) 45 that you may be children(G) of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.(H) 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?(I) Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.(J)

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:38 Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21
  2. Matthew 5:43 Lev. 19:18