Disciples love their enemies

⁴³“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don’t they? ⁴⁷And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they? ⁴⁸So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.