nor will you find the Kingdom of God.  The wise men say, you shall not kill.  I say, you shall not get angry, or be contemptuous.  He who grows angry and censorious shall himself be judged.  Your pious gifts are of no avail if you live at enmity with your neighbour.  In the law of the sages it is written, you shall not commit adultery.  I say, you shall not even think of breaking your marriage vows.  Rather should you become blind than let your eye desire your neighbour’s wife.  Better lose your sight than your purity.  Rather cut off your hand than reach it after your neighbour’s goods.  Better lose your strength than your virtue.  It is said in the Law, you shall not swear falsely.  I say, you shall not swear at all, either by God, or by your soul, or by your child.  Yes or no, that is enough.  Now say whether I change the laws.  Rather do I desire the strictest obedience to them.  But there are laws which I do change.  Listen; An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.  I say you shall not treat your adversary in a hostile fashion.  What you can in justice do for yourself, that do, but go no farther; it is a thousand times better to suffer wrong than to do wrong.  Overcome your enemy with kindness.  If any one smites you on the right cheek, keep your temper and offer him the left.  Maybe that will disarm his wrath.  If any one tears off your coat ask him kindly if he would not like the undergarment too?  Perhaps he will be ashamed of his greediness.  If any asks you for something that you can grant, do not refuse him, and if you have two coats give one to him who has none.  In the law of the sages it is said:  Love your neighbour; hate your enemy.  That is false.  For it is easy enough to love them that love you, and hate them that hate you.  The godless can manage so much.  I tell you, love your neighbour, and also love your enemy.  Listen, my brothers, and declare it throughout the whole world what I now say to you:  Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you.”

He stopped, and a stir went through the assembly.  Words had been spoken the like of which had not before been heard in the world.  A holy inspiration, as it were, entered the universe at that hour such as had not been felt since the creation.

Jesus continued speaking:  “Do good to those who hate you; that is how God acts towards men, even when they mock at him.  Try to imitate the Father in heaven in all things.  What good ye do, do it for the sake of God, not for the sake of men.  Therefore the second commandment is as important as the first.  Love God more than everything, and your neighbour as yourself.  But you shall not boast of your good works.  When you give alms, do it secretly, and speak not of it, so that the left hand knows not what the right hand doeth.  If you do not give up the goods of this world, you will not attain to the Kingdom of Heaven.  If you fast, do not wear a sad face.  Be cheerful; what matters