Jesus Teaches About Fighting Back^(A)

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’^{[a] 39} But I tell you, don’t fight back against someone who wants to do harm to you. If they hit you on the right cheek, let them hit the other cheek too. ⁴⁰ If anyone wants to sue you in court and take your shirt, let them have your coat too. ⁴¹ If a soldier forces you to walk with him one mile,^[b] go with him two. ⁴² Give to anyone who asks you for something. Don’t refuse to give to anyone who wants to borrow from you.

Love Your Enemies^(B)

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[c] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies. Pray for those who treat you badly. ⁴⁵ If you do this, you will be children who are truly like your Father in heaven. He lets the sun rise for all people, whether they are good or bad. He sends rain to those who do right and to those who do wrong. ⁴⁶ If you love only those who love you, why should you get a reward for that? Even the tax collectors do that. ⁴⁷ And if you are nice only to your friends, you are no better than anyone else. Even the people who don’t know God are nice to their friends. ⁴⁸ What I am saying is that you must be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Love Your Enemies^(A)

²⁷ “But I say to you people who are listening to me, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. ²⁸ Ask God to bless the people who ask for bad things to happen to you. Pray for the people who are mean to you. ²⁹ If someone hits you on the side of your face, let them hit the other side too. If someone takes your coat, don’t stop them from taking your shirt too. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks you for something. When someone takes something that is yours, don’t ask for it back. ³¹ Do for others what you want them to do for you.

³² “If you love only those who love you, should you get any special praise for doing that? No, even sinners love those who love them! ³³ If you do good only to those who do good to you, should you get any special praise for doing that? No, even sinners do that! ³⁴ If you lend things to people, always expecting to get something back, should you get any special praise for that? No, even sinners lend to other sinners so that they can get back the same amount!

³⁵ “I’m telling you to love your enemies and do good to them. Lend to people without expecting to get anything back. If you do this, you will have a great reward. You will be children of the Most High God. Yes, because God is good even to the people who are full of sin and not thankful. ³⁶ Give love and mercy the same as your Father gives love and mercy.