Comparing Matthew 5:43-44

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you this: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.”
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
Meaning-for-Meaning (Closest Natural Equivalence)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you,”
New English Translation (NET)
Word-for-Word (Formal Equivalence)

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“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemies.’ But I say to you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you.”
New Century Version (NCV)
Thought-for-Thought (Functional Equivalence)

You have heard people say, “Love your neighbors and hate your enemies.” But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
Paraphrase (Retelling)

Visit our Bible Translation Guide for more information about the major differences between the clear, natural English of God’s Word and other translations.