Matthew 5:44

Amplified Bible

⁴⁴But I say to you, ^[a]love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,^(A)

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 5:44

New International Version

⁴⁴But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,^(A)

²⁰But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for by doing this you will heap ^[a]burning coals on his head.”^(A)

Romans 12:20 This may refer to an ancient Egyptian custom in which a penitent person carried a bowl of burning embers on his head to show his shame and guilt. By analogy, being kind to an enemy may lead him to shame and repentance.

²⁰On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”^[a]^(A)

Amplified Bible (AMP)

New International Version (NIV)