Do not avenge yourselves
Meanwhile, let no persecution turn you out of the way of lowliness and meekness, of love and kindness. You have heard indeed that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth (Matthew 5:38). And your miserable teachers have from this allowed you to avenge yourselves, to return evil for evil.
But I say to you, do not resist evil (Matthew 5:39), not in this way, not by returning it in kind. But, rather than do this, whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also (Matthew 5:39). And if anyone wants to sue you at law and take away your coat, let him have your cloak as well (Matthew 5:40). And whoever compels you to go a mile, go with him two (Matthew 5:41).
So let your meekness be invincible, and let your love match it. Give to the one who asks you, and from the one who would borrow from you do not turn away (Matthew 5:42). Only, do not give away what is another person's, what is not your own. Therefore, first, take care to owe no one anything (Romans 13:8). For what you owe is not your own, but another person's. Second, provide for those of your own household. This also God has required of you, and what is necessary to keep them in life and godliness is also not your own. Then, third, give or lend all that remains, from day to day or from year to year. Only, first, since you cannot give or lend to everyone, remember the household of faith (Galatians 6:10).
1771 text
12. Mean time, let no persecution turn you out of the way of lowliness and meekness, of love and beneficence. Ye have heard indeed that it hath been said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. And your miserable teachers have hence allowed you to avenge yourselves, to return evil for evil.
But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil――Not thus; not by returning it in kind. But (rather than do this) whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
So invincible let thy meekness be. And be thy love suitable thereto. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Only, give not away that which is another man’s, that which is not thine own. Therefore, 1. Take care to owe no man any thing. For what thou owest, is not thy own but another man’s. 2. Provide for those of thine own houshold. This also God hath required of thee: and what is necessary to sustain them in life and godliness, is also not thine own. Then, 3. Give or lend all that remains from day to day, or from year to year. Only first, seeing thou canst not give or lend to all, remember the houshold of faith.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 23 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:8-12.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.