Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a](A) and hate your enemy.’(B) 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,(C) 45 that you may be children(D) 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.(E) 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?(F) 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.(G)

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:43 Lev. 19:18

43  You have heard akouō that hoti it was said legō, ‘ You shall love agapaō · ho your sy neighbor plēsion and kai hate miseō · ho your sy enemy echthros.’ 44 But de I egō say legō to you hymeis, love agapaō · ho your hymeis enemies echthros and kai pray proseuchomai for hyper those ho who persecute diōkō you hymeis, 45 so hopōs that you may be ginomai sons hyios of ho your hymeis Father patēr who ho is in en heaven ouranos, for hoti he makes · ho his autos sun hēlios rise anatellō on epi the evil ponēros and kai on the good agathos, and kai sends rain brechō on epi the just dikaios and kai on the unjust adikos. 46 For gar if ean you love agapaō those ho who love agapaō you hymeis, what tis reward misthos do you have echō? Do not ouchi even kai the ho tax telōnēs collectors do poieō the ho same autos? 47 And kai if ean you greet aspazomai only monon · ho your hymeis brothers adelphos, what tis are you doing poieō more perissos than others? Do not ouchi even kai the ho Gentiles ethnikos do poieō the ho same autos? 48 You hymeis, however oun, are eimi to be perfect teleios, as hōs · ho your hymeis heavenly ouranios Father patēr · ho is eimi perfect teleios.

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