Article: Matthew 5:44 by Scion of Zion

From Textus Receptus

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:

(1560 Geneva Bible) 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 hurt you, and persecute you,

(1526 Tyndale) But I saye vnto you love youre enimies. Blesse the that coursse you. Do good to them that hate you. Praye for them which doo you wronge and persecute you

Counterfeit Versions

(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 Critical Text

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.

The King James Version 2023 Edition New Testament is now complete and in print format here.

Internal Links

Old Testament - New Testament KJV 1900

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Scrivener's 1894 Textus Receptus

2016 Urdu New Testament (TR Based)

Russian Synodal Version (TR Based)

Reina Valera Gómez Spanish (TR Based)

Marginal Notes in the 1611 Authorized Version

Ephesians 3:9

Why We Should Not Passover Easter 1, 2, & 3

Will Kinney

List of TR/KJV based foreign bibles

List of New Testament minuscules

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