²⁰ Instead, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink, for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.”

⁴⁴ But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,^(A)

Love for Enemies

²⁷ “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you;^(A)

⁴ “When you come upon your enemy’s ox or donkey going astray, you shall bring it back.^(A)

⁵ “When you see the donkey of one who hates you struggling under its burden and you would hold back from setting it free, you must help to set it free.^(B)

²² He answered, “No! Would you strike those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink, and let them go to their master.”^(A)

¹⁶ When David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” Saul lifted up his voice and wept.^{(A) 17} He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.^{(B) 18} Today you have explained how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands.^{(C) 19} For who has ever found an enemy and sent the enemy safely away? So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.

²¹ Then Saul said, “I have done wrong; come back, my son David, for I will never harm you again, because my life was precious in your sight today; I have been a fool and have made a great mistake.”^(A)