Matthew 5:38-48

English Standard Version

Retaliation

^38 (A)“You have heard that it was said, ^(B)‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹ But I say to you, ^(C)Do not resist the one who is evil. But ^(D)if anyone ^(E)slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. ⁴⁰ And ^(F)if anyone would sue you and take your tunic,^[a] let him have your cloak as well. ⁴¹ And if anyone ^(G)forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. ^42 (H)Give to the one who begs from you, and ^(I)do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Love Your Enemies

^43 (J)“You have heard that it was said, ^(K)‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, ^(L)Love your enemies and ^(M)pray for those who persecute you, ^45 (N)so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and ^(O)sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ^46 (P)For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your brothers,^[b] what more are you doing than others? Do not even ^(Q)the Gentiles do the same? ^48 (R)You therefore must be ^(S)perfect, ^(T)as your heavenly Father is perfect.