"Be merciful as your Father is merciful."
Jesus them goes on to list seven examples of being merciful in our human to human relationships. I paraphrase these as:
1. Stop judging and you will not be judged. [verse 37]
2. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. [Verse 37]
3. Forgive and you will be forgiven. [verse 37 and "Our Father" prayer]
4. Give and gifts will be given to you. [verse 38]
5.The measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.
[Verse 38 and the parable of the unjust servant]
6. No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained,
every disciple will be like his teacher. [Verse 40]
7. Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly
to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye. [Verses 41 and 42]
Perhaps an expanded paraphrase of Jesus' introductory verse could makes it even clearer:
"Be merciful (to each other) as (God) is merciful (to you)."
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