³³^*“You have also heard that people were told in the past, ‘Do not break your promise, but do what you have vowed to the Lord to do.’ ³⁴^*But now I tell you: do not use any vow when you make a promise. Do not swear by heaven, for it is God’s throne; ³⁵^*nor by earth, for it is the resting place for his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ³⁶Do not even swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. ³⁷Just say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’—anything else you say comes from the Evil One.

Teaching about Revenge

³⁸^*“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹But now I tell you: do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, let him slap your left cheek too. ⁴⁰And if someone takes you to court to sue you for your shirt, let him have your coat as well. ⁴¹And if one of the occupation troops forces you to carry his pack one kilometre, carry it two kilometres. ⁴²When someone asks you for something, give it to him; when someone wants to borrow something, lend it to him.

Love for Enemies

⁴³“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your friends, hate your enemies.’ ⁴⁴But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Read in Logos

Matthew 5:44–45: But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so 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.

Cross references

*5.33 a: Lv 19:12 5.33 b: Nu 30:2; Dt 23:21
*5.34 a: Jas 5:12 5.34 b: Is 66:1; Mt 23:22
*5.35 a: Is 66:1 5.35 b: Ps 48:2
*5.38: Ex 21:24; Lv 24:20; Dt 19:21