Matthew 5:44
Matthew 5:44
(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;
(1611 KJV) 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
despitefully vse you, and persecute you:
(NIV) But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
(NASV) "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute
you,
(NLT) But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
(ESV) But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
(CEV) But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you.
(1901 ASV) but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that
persecute you;
(HCSB) But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
(RSV) But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
(NAB-Roman Catholic) But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who
persecute you,
(NWT-Jehovah’s Witnesses) However, I say to YOU: Continue to love YOUR enemies
and to pray for those persecuting YOU;
Textus Receptus
egw de legw umin agapate touV ecqrouV umwn eulogeite
touV katarwmenouV umaV kalwV poieite touV misountaV umaV kai proseucesqe
uper twn ephreazontwn umaV kai diwkontwn umaV
Hort Westcott
egw de legw umin agapate touV ecqrouV umwn kai
proseucesqe uper twn diwkontwn umaV
Corrupted Manuscripts
This verse is corrupted in the following manuscripts:
Aleph 01 - Sinaiticus - Fourth century
B 03 - Vaticanus - Fourth century
Affected Teachings
This verse contains some instructions to the true child of God concerning their
witness which is evidence of their transformation. First of all, when someone is
cursing us, which means they are wishing evil against us, we are not to return
evil for evil, instead we are to show them kindness in words. We do not curse
them, we bless them and seek their best and not their worst. Then there are
those who are going to hate us because of our testimony for Christ. Instead of
us thinking up vengeful acts against them, we are to do good to them. How many
times has a person hated us and sometimes they might need a little help and the
Lord may engineer their circumstances so that you are the only one who can help
them. Then there are those who will despitefully use us. The word “despitefully”
carries with it the meaning of “mistreat us.” How many times have believers been
used by those in the world to advance themselves while the believer is left
behind? This happens every day. Sometimes the world uses our talents or money
and makes believe they are appreciative when in reality they are just using us.
The Lord Jesus Christ makes sure that we will take no acts of vengeance against
anyone who does these things. Instead we are to bless them, pray for them, do
good for them, and finally love them. No one says it is going to be easy. When
the Gnostics left out these words by chopping up the verse, they were acting on
their own mindsets. In the academic world there is cut throat competition to be
the tops in the field. What kind of a person would earn the respect of their
colleagues if it looked like they were being walked over. Arrogance and pride
were at the heart of the butchering of this verse and it is a shame that the
modern translators have allowed the arrogance of the Gnostics to have survived.
Sixteen words have been removed from the verse.