²⁰ On the contrary:

⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,^(A)

Love for Enemies^(A)

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

⁴ “If you come across your enemy’s^(A) ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to return it.^{(B) 5} If you see the donkey^(C) of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it.

²² “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured^(A) with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.”

¹⁶ When David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that your voice,^(A) David my son?” And he wept aloud. ¹⁷ “You are more righteous than I,”^(B) he said. “You have treated me well,^(C) but I have treated you badly.^{(D) 18} You have just now told me about the good you did to me; the Lord delivered^(E) me into your hands, but you did not kill me. ¹⁹ When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the Lord reward^(F) you well for the way you treated me today.

²¹ Then Saul said, “I have sinned.^(A) Come back, David my son. Because you considered my life precious^(B) today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have been terribly wrong.”