Love Your Enemies

(Leviticus 24:17–23, Luke 6:27–36)

You have heard that it was said,‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’[fn] 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil [person]. [If] someone slaps you on the[fn] right cheek, turn to him the other also; 40 if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have [your] cloak as well; 41 and if someone forces you to go one mile,[fn] go with him two [miles].[fn] 42 Give to the [one] who asks you, and do not turn away from the [one] who wants to borrow from you.

You have heard that it was said,‘Love your neighbor’[fn] and‘Hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,[fn] 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun {to rise} on [the] evil and [the] good, and sends rain on [the] righteous and [the] unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your friends,[fn] what are you doing more than others? Do not even the tax collectors[fn] do the same?

Be perfect, therefore, as your Father in heaven[fn] is perfect.[’’] 6