Mercy

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on one cheek, offer them the other cheek also. Do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Give to everyone who asks you. If someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let them have your cloak as well. And if someone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. And pray for those who persecute you. In doing these things, your reward will be great, and you will be children of your Father in heaven. For He is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good. And He sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even tax collectors and sinners love those who love them. And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, and do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. And be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

(See Matthew 5:38-48; Luke 6:27-36)

(Editor's Notes:

Referenced Scripture passages: Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 19:18; Leviticus 24:17-23; Deuteronomy 19:21)

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