MatthewChapter 5
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1Jesus saw the crowds, so he went up on the mountain and sat down. His disciples came to him. 2And he began to teach them. He said: 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what is right, for they will be filled. 7Blessed are those who show mercy, for they will be shown mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10Blessed are those who are treated badly for doing what is right, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 11Blessed are you when people insult you and treat you badly because of me. Blessed are you when they tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me. 12Be full of joy and be glad, because your reward in heaven is great. For they treated the prophets before you badly in the same way. 13You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, how can it be made salty again? It is not good for anything anymore. It is thrown out, and people walk on it. 14You are the light of the world. A city on a hill can't be hidden. 15People don't light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand. Then it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine in front of people. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will give glory to your Father in heaven. 17Don't think that I have come to do away with the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to do away with them. I have come to fulfill them. 18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth pass away, not one tiny letter will disappear from the Law. Not even the smallest stroke of a pen will disappear until everything is done. 19So anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But anyone who obeys them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20I tell you, your goodness must be greater than that of the scribes and Pharisees. If it is not, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.a 21You have heard that it was said to people long ago, 'Do not murder.' And, 'Anyone who murders will face judgment.' 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will face judgment. Anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' will have to answer to the Sanhedrin. And anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.b 23So suppose you are offering your gift at the altar. And there you remember that your brother has something against you. 24Leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and make peace with your brother. Then come back and offer your gift. 25Make peace quickly with the person who has a case against you. Do it while you are still on the way to court. If you don't, he may hand you over to the judge. The judge may hand you over to the officer. And you may be thrown into prison. 26I tell you the truth, you won't get out until you have paid the last penny. 27You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. 31It has also been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a written notice of divorce.' 32But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 33Again, you have heard that it was said to people long ago, 'Do not break your oath. Keep the promises you make to the Lord.' 34But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all. Do not swear by heaven, for it is God's throne. 35Do not swear by the earth, for it is where he rests his feet. Do not swear by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36And do not swear by your head. You can't make even one hair white or black. 37Just let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more than this comes from the evil one. 38You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39But I tell you, do not fight back against an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other cheek to him too. 40If someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak too. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go two miles with him. 42Give to the one who asks you. Don't turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. 43You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor' and 'Hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you, love your enemies. Pray for those who treat you badly. 45Do this so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He makes his sun rise on the evil and the good. He sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love only those who love you, what reward will you get? Don't even tax collectors do that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Don't even Gentiles do that? 48So be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.