Love for Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[a](A) and hate your enemy.’^{(B) 44} But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,^{(C) 45} that you may be children^(D) 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.^{(E) 46} If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?^(F) Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.^(G)

³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?^(A) Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?^{(B) 36} As it is written:

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors^(D) through him who loved us.^{(E) 38} For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[b] neither the present nor the future,^(F) nor any powers,^{(G) 39} neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God^(H) that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.^(I)

²⁴ Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.^[a]

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

¹⁵ “If you love me, keep my commands.^(A)

²¹ Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.^(A) The one who loves me will be loved by my Father,^(B) and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

¹⁰ If you keep my commands,^(A) you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

³ In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands.^(A) And his commands are not burdensome,^(B)