Matthew 5

1 And seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain. And when He sat down, His apprentices came to Him. 2 And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying,

11 “Happy are you whenever they insult you and persecute you, and say all kinds of bad things against you, lying, because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be extremely glad because of your abundant reward in heaven! For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing except to be thrown out and walked all over by people. 14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. 15 Also, people don’t light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it shines on all in the house. 16 Even so, let your light shine in front of people; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

17 “Don’t think that I came to destroy the Torah or the Prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill. 18 For most certainly I tell you, until the sky and earth pass away, not one letter or one pen stroke will ever pass away from the Torah, until everything comes to pass! 19 Therefore whoever undoes one of the least of these commandments and teaches people in this way, will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever does and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20 For I tell you that if your righteousness does not abound much more than that of the scholars and Separators, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven!

21 “You have heard that it was said to those who lived long ago, ‘Don’t murder,’ and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. 22 But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause† will be subject to judgment; and whoever calls his brother an idiot will be subject to the council; and whoever says, ‘You’re a moron!’ will be subject to the fire of Hinnom Valley.

23 “If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Agree with your opponent quickly, while you are with him on the road; so the opponent won’t deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Most certainly I tell you, you won’t get out of there until you have paid the last penny!

27 “You have heard that it was said†, ‘Don’t commit adultery;’ 28 but I tell you that everyone who looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, pull it out and throw it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your body parts should be destroyed, than for your whole body to be thrown into Hinnom Valley. 30 If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your body parts should be destroyed, than for your whole body to be thrown into Hinnom Valley.

31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, must give her a divorce certificate.’ 32 But I tell you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.

33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those who lived long ago, ‘Don’t make false vows, but perform to the Master your vows.’ 34 But I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God; 35 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Also don’t swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black. 37 But your word ‘yes’ must mean ‘yes.’ ‘No’ must mean ‘no.’ Whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘eye for eye,’ and, ‘tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, don’t resist a bad person. Rather, whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat also. 41 Whoever requires you to assist him for one mile, go on with him for two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who wants to borrow from you.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor,’ and, ‘Hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies! Bless those who curse you! Do good to those who hate you,† and pray for those who mistreat you and† persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes His sun to rise on the bad and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you only greet your friends†, what more are you doing than others? Don’t even the tax collectors† do that? 48 Therefore be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.