4 I will heal their disloyalty;
I will love them freely,
for my anger has turned from them. (A)
5 I will be like the dew to Israel;
he shall blossom like the lily;
he shall strike root like the forests of Lebanon. [a] (B)
6 His shoots shall spread out;
his beauty shall be like the olive tree
and his fragrance like that of Lebanon. (C)
7 They shall again live beneath my [b] shadow;
they shall flourish as a garden; [c]
they shall blossom like the vine;
their fragrance shall be like the wine of Lebanon. (D)
8 O Ephraim, what have I [d] to do with idols?
It is I who answer and look after you. [e]
I am like an evergreen cypress;
your fruit comes from me. (E)
9 Those who are wise understand these things;
those who are discerning know them.
For the ways of the Lord are right,
and the upright walk in them,
but transgressors stumble in them. (F)
27 “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; (A) 28 bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you. (B) 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and if anyone takes away what is yours, do not ask for it back again. (C) 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. (D)
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive payment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. [a] Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. (E) 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; (F) 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” (G)