²⁰ To the contrary, ^(A)“if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

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

Love Your Enemies

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

^4 (A)“If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him. ⁵ If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.

²² He answered, “You shall not strike them down. Would you strike down those whom you have taken captive ^(A)with your sword and with your bow? ^(B)Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.”

¹⁶ As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, ^(A)“Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. ¹⁷ He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, ^(B)for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. ¹⁸ And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands. ¹⁹ For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.

²¹ Then Saul said, ^(A)“I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly, and have made a great mistake.”