Teaching about Love for Enemies^(A)

²⁷ “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. ²⁸ Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who insult you.

³² “If you love those who love you, what thanks do you deserve? Why, even sinners love those who love them. ³³ If you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks do you deserve? Even sinners do that. ³⁴ If you lend to those from whom you expect to get something back, what thanks do you deserve? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back what they lend. ³⁵ Instead, love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind even to ungrateful and evil people. ³⁶ Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”