SCRIPTURE: Luke 6:27-38, The Voice & Young’s Literal Translation
[Brackets indicate change for gender neutrality]
[Brackets plus italics indicate a complete addition to the text]
Italics alone are part of the translation.
27 [Jesus said to his closest followers:] To you who are hearing here’s My message: Keep loving your enemies no matter what they do. Keep doing good toward those hating you. 28 Keep speaking blessings on those who are cursing you. Keep praying for those accusing you falsely.
29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, offer the other cheek too. If someone steals your coat, offer [them] your shirt too. 30 If someone begs from you, give to [them]. If someone robs you of your valuables, don’t demand them back. 31 Think of the kindness you wish others would show you; do also to them in like manner.
32 [I know, I know. I didn’t say it would be easy…but seriously!]
Listen, what’s the big deal if you love people who already love you? Even scoundrels do that much!
[Or, phrased a little differently:]
32 and — if ye love those loving you, what grace have ye? for also the sinful love those loving them;
33 So what if you do good to those who do good to you? Even scoundrels do that much! 34 So what if you lend to people who are likely to repay you? Even scoundrels lend to scoundrels if they think they’ll be fully repaid.
35 If you want to be extraordinary—love your enemies! Do good without restraint! Lend with abandon! Don’t expect anything in return! Then you’ll receive the truly great reward—you will be children of the Most High—for God is kind to the ungrateful and those who are wicked. 36 So imitate God and be truly compassionate, the way your [Maker] is.
37 If you don’t want to be judged, don’t judge. If you don’t want to be condemned, don’t condemn. If you want to be forgiven, forgive. 38 Don’t hold back—give freely, and you’ll have plenty poured back into your lap—a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, brimming over, for with that measure with which ye measure, it shall be measured to you again.
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