Love Your Enemies

(Matthew 5:38–48)

But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 [If someone] strikes you on [one] cheek, turn to him the other also. And vvv [if someone] takes your cloak, do not withhold [your] tunic as well. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and vvv [if anyone] takes what [is] yours, {do} not demand [it] back. 31 Do to [others] as you would have [them] do to you.

32 

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For[fn] even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend [to those] from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? For[fn] even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.

35 

But love your enemies, do good [to them], and lend [to them], expecting nothing in return Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Therefore[fn] be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

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