"'Do not bear a grudge against anyone, but settle your differences with him, so that you will not commit a sin because of him. Do not take revenge on anyone or continue to hate him, but love your neighbor as you love yourself. I am the Lord.'" Leviticus 19:17,18 (GNB)
I have used the Good News Bible translation for this quote because it better expresses God's universal forgiveness.
If only the Israeli government followed this commandment of God the Middle East might be at peace.
I have heard political leaders in Israel say that their religion does not require them to love their enemies. But passages such as the one I have quoted above point in that direction. Certainly the eye for an eye philosophy is contradicted here and elsewhere.
But they don't believe that God will answer them.
So they attack and launch vicious reprisals.
This passage is the second commandment referred to by Jesus when asked which is the greatest commandment. The first is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
So do not say that you are not required to love your enemies.
Even the Old Testament points in that direction.
[Scriptures (marked GNB) are taken from the Good News Bible published by The Bible Society/Collins copyright American Bible Society.]
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