people taking advantage of you

¹⁷Render to no one harm for harm. Provide good things, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of all men. ¹⁸If it is possible, in so far as you are able, be at peace with all men. ¹⁹Do not defend yourselves, dearest ones. Instead, step aside from wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is mine. I shall give retribution, says the Lord.” ²⁰So if an enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in doing so, you will heap burning coals upon his head. ²¹Do not allow evil to prevail, instead prevail over evil by means of goodness.

⁹He who walks in simplicity walks in confidence. But he who corrupts his ways shall be discovered.

³²And if you love those who love you, what credit is due to you? For even sinners love those who love them. ³³And if you will do good to those who do good to you, what credit is due to you? Indeed, even sinners behave this way. ³⁴And if you will loan to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is due to you? For even sinners lend to sinners, in order to receive the same in return. ³⁵So truly, love your enemies. Do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return. And then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and to the wicked. ³⁶Therefore, be merciful, just as your Father is also merciful. ³⁷Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

⁶Better is the pauper walking in his simplicity, than the rich walking in ways of depravity.

¹²Therefore, all things whatsoever that you wish that men would do to you, do so also to them. For this is the law and the prophets.

⁵Let your behavior be without avarice; be content with what you are offered. For he himself has said, “I will not abandon you, and I will not neglect you.”

¹⁴For if you will forgive men their sins, your heavenly Father also will forgive you your offenses. ¹⁵But if you will not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive you your sins.

⁷If one of your brothers, who dwells within the gates of your city, in the land which the Lord your God will give to you, falls into poverty, you shall not harden your heart, nor tighten your hand. ⁸Instead, you shall open your hand to the poor, and you shall lend to him whatever you perceive him to need. ⁹Take care, lest perhaps an impious thought might creep within you, and you might say in your heart: ‘The seventh year of remission approaches.’ And so you might turn your eyes away from your poor brother, unwilling to lend to him what he has asked. If so, then he may cry out against you to the Lord, and it will be a sin for you. ¹⁰Instead, you shall give to him. Neither shall you do anything craftily while assisting him in his needs, so that the Lord your God may bless you, at all times and in all things to which you will put your hand. ¹¹The poor will not be absent from the land of your habitation. For this reason, I instruct you to open your hand to your indigent and poor brother, who lives among you in the land.

³⁵I have revealed all things to you, because by laboring in this way, it is necessary to support the weak and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

²²Do not say, “I will repay evil.” Wait for the Lord, and he will free you.

²⁹And to him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your coat, do not withhold even your tunic.

²⁴For this reason, I say to you, all things whatsoever that you ask for when praying: believe that you will receive them, and they will happen for you.

²⁶“Be angry, but do not be willing to sin.” Do not let the sun set over your anger.

¹But accept those who are weak in faith, without disputing about ideas.

³¹And exactly as you would want people to treat you, treat them also the same.

³¹Let all bitterness and anger and indignation and outcry and blasphemy be taken away from you, along with all malice. ³²And be kind and merciful to one another, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you in Christ.

¹Where do wars and contentions among you come from? Is it not from this: from your own desires, which battle within your members?