But I tell you, do not offer resistance to an evil person, but whoever hits you on the right side of the face, allow him [to hit you] on the other side also.
Matthew 5:40 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) And if anyone takes you to court in order to take your shirt away from you, let him have your coat also [i.e., if he insists on it]. More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition And if anyone wants to sue you and take your undershirt (tunic), let him have your coat also. American Standard Version (1901) And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. Common English Bible When they wish to haul you to court and take your shirt, let them have your coat too. Catholic Public Domain Version And anyone who wishes to contend with you in judgment, and to take away your tunic, release to him your cloak also. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version And if a man will contend with thee in judgment, and take away thy coat, let go thy cloak also unto him. |
But I tell you, do not offer resistance to an evil person, but whoever hits you on the right side of the face, allow him [to hit you] on the other side also.
Whoever requires you to go one mile, [be willing to] go with him two miles. [Note: The Romans were permitted by law to require a Jew to carry their burden for one mile only].
Whoever hits you on one side of the face, allow him [to hit you on] the other side also; and when someone takes away your coat, do not stop him from also taking away your shirt [i.e., if he insists on it].
Indeed, the fact that you have lawsuits with one another is [evidence of] a complete failure among you. Why should you not rather take the wrong? Why should you not rather accept being cheated?
But if any man thinks he is [being tempted to] behave improperly toward his virgin [fiancée], and she is past prime [marriageable] age, and feels the need [to get married] [Note: The Greek says “and so it has to be”], he should do what he wants; they should get married --- that man has not sinned.