43You heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy."44But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.45so that you become sons of your Father who is in the heavens, because he causes his sun to rise on evil and good, and he rains on righteous and unrighteous.46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?47And if you greet only your brothers, what more do you do? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?48You will therefore be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.