Font Size
Matthew 5:39-44
New King James Version
Matthew 5:39-44
New King James Version
39 (A)But I tell you not to resist an evil person. (B)But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever (C)compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and (D)from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
Love Your Enemies(E)
43 “You have heard that it was said, (F)‘You shall love your neighbor (G)and hate your enemy.’ 44 [a]But I say to you, (H)love your enemies, bless those who curse you, (I)do good to those who hate you, and pray (J)for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 5:44 NU But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
Matthew 5:39-44
New American Standard Bible
Matthew 5:39-44
New American Standard Bible
39 But I say to you, do not show opposition against an evil person; but (A)whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your [a]tunic, let him have your [b]cloak also. 41 Whoever [c]forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 (B)Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
43 “(C)You have heard that it was said, ‘(D)You shall love your neighbor (E)and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, (F)love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 5:40 A long shirt worn next to the skin
- Matthew 5:40 Or outer garment
- Matthew 5:41 Lit will force
Matthew 5:39-44
Amplified Bible
Matthew 5:39-44
Amplified Bible
39 But I say to you, do not resist an evil person [who insults you or violates your rights]; but whoever [a]slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other toward him also [simply ignore insignificant insults or trivial losses and do not bother to retaliate—maintain your dignity, your self-respect, your poise].(A) 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, [b]let him have your coat also [for the Lord repays the offender]. 41 And whoever [c]forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.(B)
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor (fellow man) and hate your enemy.’(C) 44 But I say to you, [d]love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,(D)
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 5:39 In this context the “slap” is not an act of violence, but more likely an insult or violation of one’s rights.
- Matthew 5:40 Probably a prohibition against frivolous legal action.
- Matthew 5:41 Roman soldiers were allowed to force civilian bystanders to carry their gear one mile for them.
- Matthew 5:44 The key to understanding this and other statements about love is to know that this love (the Greek word agape) is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person, that is, having an unselfish concern for another and a willingness to seek the best for another.
Matthew 5:39-44
New International Version
Matthew 5:39-44
New International Version
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.(A) 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.(B)
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a](C) and hate your enemy.’(D) 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,(E)
Footnotes
- Matthew 5:43 Lev. 19:18
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.