Matthew 5:38-48

Amplified Bible

³⁸“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth [punishment that fits the offense].’^(A) ³⁹But I say to you, do not resist an evil person [who insults you or violates your rights]; but whoever ^[a]slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other toward him also [simply ignore insignificant insults or trivial losses and do not bother to retaliate—maintain your dignity, your self-respect, your poise].^(B) ⁴⁰If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, ^[b]let him have your coat also [for the Lord repays the offender]. ⁴¹And whoever ^[c]forces you to go one mile, go with him two. ⁴²Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.^(C)

⁴³“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor (fellow man) and hate your enemy.’^(D) ⁴⁴But I say to you, ^[d]love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,^(E) ⁴⁵so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him]. ⁴⁶For if you love [only] those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that? ⁴⁷And if you greet only your brothers [wishing them God’s blessing and peace], what more [than others] are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles [who do not know the Lord] do that? ⁴⁸You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your heavenly Father is perfect.^(F)

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Footnotes

Matthew 5:39 In this context the “slap” is not an act of violence, but more likely an insult or violation of one’s rights.
Matthew 5:40 Probably a prohibition against frivolous legal action.
Matthew 5:41 Roman soldiers were allowed to force civilian bystanders to carry their gear one mile for them.
Matthew 5:44 The key to understanding this and other statements about love is to know that this love (the Greek word agape) is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person, that is, having an unselfish concern for another and a willingness to seek the best for another.