43You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and you shall hate your enemy.44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.45That you may become sons of your Father who is in the heavens, for he causes his sun to rise upon evil ones and upon good ones, and he causes rain to fall upon just ones and upon unjust ones.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 are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?48Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.