22. “Happy are you when people hate you, reject you, insult you, and say that you are evil, all because of the Son of Man!
23. Be glad when that happens, and dance for joy, because a great reward is kept for you in heaven. For their ancestors did the very same things to the prophets.
24. “But how terrible for you who are rich now; you have had your easy life!
25. How terrible for you who are full now; you will go hungry! How terrible for you who laugh now; you will mourn and weep!
26. “How terrible when all people speak well of you; their ancestors said the very same things about the false prophets.
27. “But I tell you who hear me: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28. bless those who curse you, and pray for those who ill-treat you.
29. If anyone hits you on one cheek, let him hit the other one too; if someone takes your coat, let him have your shirt as well.
30. Give to everyone who asks you for something, and when someone takes what is yours, do not ask for it back.
31. Do for others just what you want them to do for you.
32. “If you love only the people who love you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners love those who love them!
33. And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners do that!
34. And if you lend only to those from whom you hope to get it back, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount!
35. No! Love your enemies and do good to them; lend and expect nothing back. You will then have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God. For he is good to the ungrateful and the wicked.
36. Be merciful just as your Father is merciful.
37. “Do not judge others, and God will not judge you; do not condemn others, and God will not condemn you; forgive others, and God will forgive you.
38. Give to others, and God will give to you. Indeed, you will receive a full measure, a generous helping, poured into your hands — all that you can hold. The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you.”