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Matthew 5:35-48
New King James Version
Matthew 5:35-48
New King James Version
35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of (A)the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 (B)But let [a]your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
Go the Second Mile(C)
38 “You have heard that it was said, (D)‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 (E)But I tell you not to resist an evil person. (F)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 (G)compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and (H)from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
Love Your Enemies(I)
43 “You have heard that it was said, (J)‘You shall love your neighbor (K)and hate your enemy.’ 44 [b]But I say to you, (L)love your enemies, bless those who curse you, (M)do good to those who hate you, and pray (N)for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for (O)He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 (P)For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your [c]brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the [d]tax collectors do so? 48 (Q)Therefore you shall be perfect, just (R)as your Father in heaven is perfect.
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- Matthew 5:37 Lit. your word be yes yes
- Matthew 5:44 NU But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
- Matthew 5:47 M friends
- Matthew 5:47 NU Gentiles
Matthew 5:35-48
New American Standard Bible
Matthew 5:35-48
New American Standard Bible
35 nor by the earth, for it is the (A)footstool of His feet, nor [a]by Jerusalem, for it is (B)the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you take an oath by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 But make sure your statement is, ‘[b]Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is [c]of (C)evil origin.
38 “(D)You have heard that it was said, ‘(E)Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not show opposition against an evil person; but (F)whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your [d]tunic, let him have your [e]cloak also. 41 Whoever [f]forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 (G)Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
43 “(H)You have heard that it was said, ‘(I)You shall love your neighbor (J)and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, (K)love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may prove yourselves to be (L)sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For (M)if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors, do they not do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Even the Gentiles, do they not do the same? 48 Therefore (N)you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
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- Matthew 5:35 Or toward
- Matthew 5:37 I.e., a clear “yes” or “no”
- Matthew 5:37 Or from the evil one
- Matthew 5:40 A long shirt worn next to the skin
- Matthew 5:40 Or outer garment
- Matthew 5:41 Lit will force
Matthew 5:35-48
Amplified Bible
Matthew 5:35-48
Amplified Bible
35 or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.(A) 36 Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you are not able to make a single hair white or black. 37 But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’ [a firm yes or no]; anything more than that comes from the evil one.(B)
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth [punishment that fits the offense].’(C) 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].(D) 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.(E)
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor (fellow man) and hate your enemy.’(F) 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,(G) 45 so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him]. 46 For if you love [only] those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers [wishing them God’s blessing and peace], what more [than others] are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles [who do not know the Lord] do that? 48 You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your heavenly Father is perfect.(H)
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 5:35-48
New International Version
Matthew 5:35-48
New International Version
35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.(A) 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’;(B) anything beyond this comes from the evil one.[a](C)
Eye for Eye
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[b](D) 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.(E) 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.(F)
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[c](G) and hate your enemy.’(H) 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,(I) 45 that you may be children(J) 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.(K) 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?(L) Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.(M)
Footnotes
- Matthew 5:37 Or from evil
- Matthew 5:38 Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21
- Matthew 5:43 Lev. 19:18
Matthew 5:35-48
King James Version
Matthew 5:35-48
King James Version
35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
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Luke 6:27-38
New King James Version
Luke 6:27-38
New King James Version
Love Your Enemies(A)
27 (B)“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 (C)bless those who curse you, and (D)pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 (E)To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. (F)And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 (G)Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 (H)And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
32 (I)“But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 (J)And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But (K)love your enemies, (L)do good, and (M)lend, [a]hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and (N)you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 (O)Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
Do Not Judge(P)
37 (Q)“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. (R)Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 (S)Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your (T)bosom. For (U)with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
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- Luke 6:35 expecting
Luke 6:27-38
New American Standard Bible
Luke 6:27-38
New American Standard Bible
27 “But I say to you who hear, (A)love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, (B)pray for those who are abusive to you. 29 (C)Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your [a]cloak, do not withhold your [b]tunic from him either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. 31 [c](D)Treat people the same way you want them to [d]treat you. 32 (E)If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 (F)And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. 35 But (G)love your enemies and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be (H)sons of (I)the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil people. 36 [e]Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37 “(J)Do not [f]judge, and you will not be judged; and do not [g]condemn, and you will not be condemned; [h](K)pardon, and you will be pardoned. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. They will [i]pour (L)into your lap a (M)good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”
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Luke 6:27-38
Amplified Bible
Luke 6:27-38
Amplified Bible
27 “But I say to you who hear [Me and pay attention to My words]: [a]Love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, [make it a practice to] do good to those who hate you, 28 bless and show kindness to those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 Whoever [b]strikes you on the cheek, offer him the other one also [simply ignore insignificant insults or losses and do not bother to retaliate—maintain your dignity]. Whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either.(A) 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. [c]Whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. 31 Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. 32 If you [only] love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend [money] to those from whom you expect to receive [it back], what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to receive back the same amount. 35 But love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, and do good, and lend, [d]expecting nothing in return; for your reward will be great (rich, abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High; because He Himself is kind and gracious and good to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful (responsive, compassionate, tender) just as your [heavenly] Father is merciful.
37 “[e]Do not judge [others self-righteously], and you will not be judged; do not condemn [others when you are guilty and unrepentant], and you will not be condemned [for your hypocrisy]; pardon [others when they truly repent and change], and you will be pardoned [when you truly repent and change].(B) 38 Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Luke 6:27 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 higher good for another.
- Luke 6:29 In this context the “slap” is not an act of violence, but more likely an insult or violation of one’s rights.
- Luke 6:30 Probably a prohibition against frivolous legal action.
- Luke 6:35 Or not despairing at all.
- Luke 6:37 This is not a prohibition of judgment, nor is it a command to stop using godly wisdom, common sense, and moral courage together with God’s written word to discern right from wrong, to distinguish between morality and immorality, and to judge doctrinal truth. There are many judgments that are not only legitimate, but are commanded (cf John 7:24; 1 Cor 5:5, 12; Gal 1:8, 9; 1 John 4:1-3; 2 John 10); however, you cannot judge another if you are committing the same type of sin.
Luke 6:27-38
New International Version
Luke 6:27-38
New International Version
Love for Enemies(A)
27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,(B) 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.(C) 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.(D) 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.(E)
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?(F) Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you?(G) Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them,(H) and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children(I) of the Most High,(J) because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful,(K) just as your Father(L) is merciful.
Judging Others(M)
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged.(N) Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.(O) 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.(P) For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”(Q)
Luke 6:27-38
King James Version
Luke 6:27-38
King James Version
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
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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.