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22 Do not say, “I will repay evil!”
    Wait for the Lord, who will help you.[a](A)

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Footnotes

  1. 20:22 Appointing oneself an agent of divine retribution is dangerous. Better to wait for God to effect justice. Cf. 24:17–18.

22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”(A)
    Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.(B)

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Teaching About Retaliation. 38 [a]“You have heard that it was said,(A) ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 (B)But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on [your] right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. 40 If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. 41 Should anyone press you into service for one mile,[b] go with him for two miles.(C) 42 Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.(D)

Love of Enemies.[c]

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Footnotes

  1. 5:38–42 See Lv 24:20. The Old Testament commandment was meant to moderate vengeance; the punishment should not exceed the injury done. Jesus forbids even this proportionate retaliation. Of the five examples that follow, only the first deals directly with retaliation for evil; the others speak of liberality.
  2. 5:41 Roman garrisons in Palestine had the right to requisition the property and services of the native population.
  3. 5:43–48 See Lv 19:18. There is no Old Testament commandment demanding hatred of one’s enemy, but the “neighbor” of the love commandment was understood as one’s fellow countryman. Both in the Old Testament (Ps 139:19–22) and at Qumran (1QS 9:21) hatred of evil persons is assumed to be right. Jesus extends the love commandment to the enemy and the persecutor. His disciples, as children of God, must imitate the example of their Father, who grants his gifts of sun and rain to both the good and the bad.

Eye for Eye

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[a](A) 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.(B) 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.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:38 Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all.(A)

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17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil.(A) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.(B)

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