Matthew 5:33–48

Oaths

³³“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath,^p but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’^{q 34}But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all:^r either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;^{s 35}or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.^{t 36}And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. ³⁷All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’;^u anything beyond this comes from the evil one.^gv

Eye for Eye

³⁸“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’^{hw 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.^{x 40}And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. ⁴²Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.^y

Love for Enemies

⁴³“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^iz and hate your enemy.’^{a 44}But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,^{b 45}that you may be children^c 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.^{d 46}If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?^e Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.^f