Matthew 5:44 “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”

Matthew 5:44

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

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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;

World English Bible

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,

American Standard Version

but I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;

Geneva Bible 1599

But I say vnto you, Loue your enemies: blesse them that curse you: doe good to them that hate you, and pray for them which hurt you, and persecute you,

Darby Translation

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,

Young's Literal Translation

but I — I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those cursing you, do good to those hating you, and pray for those accusing you falsely, and persecuting you,

Bible in Basic English

But I say to you, Have love for those who are against you, and make prayer for those who are cruel to you;

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Cross references

“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;”

Romans 12:14 1 Peter 3:9 Luke 23:34 1 Peter 2:23 Acts 7:60 2 Kings 6:22

Romans 12:14 · BSB

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

1 Peter 3:9 · BSB

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.

Luke 23:34 · BSB

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

1 Peter 2:23 · BSB

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.

Acts 7:60 · BSB

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.

2 Kings 6:22 · BSB

“Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.”

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

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

45that 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.

Read Matthew 5