Matthew 5:44

42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

43 You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

45 that you may be sons 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.

46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same?

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
KJV
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;
WEB
But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
ASV
but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;
DARBY
But *I* say unto you, Love your enemies, [bless those who curse you,] do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who [insult you and] persecute you,
BLB
But I say to you⁺, love your⁺ enemies and pray for those persecuting you⁺,
ÅB
Men jeg sier dere: Elsk fiendene deres, velsign dem som forbanner dere, gjør godt imot dem som hater dere, og be for dem som forfølger dere.
OTB
Men jeg sier dere, vis kjærlighet til deres fiender og be for dem som forfølger dere,
B1930
Men jeg sier eder: Elsk eders fiender, velsign dem som forbanner eder, gjør vel imot dem som hater eder, og bed for dem som forfølger eder,

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Romans 12:14

    Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.

    Read in context
  • 1 Peter 3:9

    Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

    Read in context
  • Luke 6:27–28

    But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

    Read in context
  • Romans 12:20–21

    On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 25:21–22

    If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

    Read in context
  • Luke 23:34

    Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.

    Read in context
  • 1 Peter 2:23

    When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.

    Read in context
  • Acts 7:60

    Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

    Read in context