Matthew 5:38–48

Go the Second Mile

38 “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. p q 39 But I tell you, don’t resist r an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. s 40 As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, t let him have your coat u as well. 41 And if anyone forces v you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. w

Love Your Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor x y and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies z and pray for those who a persecute you, b 45 so that you may be c sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. d 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your * brothers, what are you doing out of the ordinary? e f Don’t even the Gentiles g do the same? 48 Be perfect, h therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

p	Ex 21:24 Le 24:20 Dt 19:21
q	Ex 21:24 Le 24:20 Dt 19:21
r	5:39 Or don’t set yourself against, or don’t retaliate against
s	Lk 6:29–30 Ro 12:17 1 Co 6:7 1 Pe 3:9
t	5:40 * tunic; = inner garment
u	5:40 Or garment; * robe; = outer garment
v	5:41 Roman soldiers could require people to carry loads for them.
w	Dt 15:8 Lk 6:34
x	Le 19:18 Dt 23:6 Lk 10:29
y	Le 19:18
z	5:44 Other * add bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you,
a	5:44 Other * add mistreat you and
b	Lk 6:27 Lk 23:34 Ac 7:60 Ro 12:20 1 Co 4:12 1 Pe 2:23
c	5:45 Or may become, or may show yourselves to be
d	Job 25:3 Mt 5:9 Lk 6:35 Ac 14:17
*
e	5:47 Or doing that is superior; * doing more
f	Mt 5:37 Mk 6:51 Jn 10:10 Ro 3:1 2 Co 9:1
g	5:47 Other * read tax collectors
h	Ge 17:1 Le 19:2 Php 3:15 Col 4:12 Jas 1:4 1 Pe 1:15