Matthew 5:38-48
Modern English Version
Teaching About Revenge(A)
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’[a] 39 But I say to you, do not resist an evil person. But whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other as well. 40 And if anyone sues you in a court of law and takes away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go a mile,[b] go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who would borrow from you do not turn away.
Love for Enemies(B)
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor[c] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brothers only, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 5:38 Ex 21:24; Lev 24:20; Dt 19:21.
- Matthew 5:41 Gk. milion, or 1.48 kilometers.
- Matthew 5:43 Lev 19:18.
Matthew 5:38-48
New International Version
Eye for Eye
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[a](A) 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.(B) 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.(C)
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[b](D) and hate your enemy.’(E) 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,(F) 45 that you may be children(G) 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.(H) 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?(I) Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.(J)
Footnotes
- Matthew 5:38 Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21
- Matthew 5:43 Lev. 19:18
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