Matthew 5:17-48

New King James Version

Christ Fulfills the Law

^17 (A)“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. ¹⁸ For assuredly, I say to you, ^(B)till heaven and earth pass away, one ^[a]jot or one ^[b]tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. ^19 (C)Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds ^(D)the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Murder Begins in the Heart^(E)

²¹ “You have heard that it was said to those ^[c]of old, ^(F)‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ ²² But I say to you that ^(G)whoever is angry with his brother ^[d]without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ^(H)‘Raca!’^[e] shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ^[f]‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of ^[g]hell fire. ²³ Therefore ^(I)if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, ^24 (J)leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. ^25 (K)Agree with your adversary quickly, ^(L)while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. ²⁶ Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.

Adultery in the Heart

²⁷ “You have heard that it was said ^[h]to those of old, ^(M)‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ²⁸ But I say to you that whoever ^(N)looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ^29 (O)If your right eye causes you to ^[i]sin, ^(P)pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to ^[j]sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Marriage Is Sacred and Binding^(Q)

³¹ “Furthermore it has been said, ^(R)‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ ³² But I say to you that ^(S)whoever divorces his wife for any reason except ^[k]sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.

Jesus Forbids Oaths

³³ “Again you have heard that ^(T)it was said to those of ^[l]old, ^(U)‘You shall not swear falsely, but ^(V)shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ ³⁴ But I say to you, ^(W)do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is ^(X)God’s throne; ³⁵ nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of ^(Y)the great King. ³⁶ Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. ^37 (Z)But let ^[m]your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

Go the Second Mile^(AA)

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ^(AB)‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ ^39 (AC)But I tell you not to resist an evil person. ^(AD)But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. ⁴⁰ If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. ⁴¹ And whoever ^(AE)compels you to go one mile, go with him two. ⁴² Give to him who asks you, and ^(AF)from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

Love Your Enemies^(AG)

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ^(AH)‘You shall love your neighbor ^(AI)and hate your enemy.’ ^44 [n]But I say to you, ^(AJ)love your enemies, bless those who curse you, ^(AK)do good to those who hate you, and pray ^(AL)for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for ^(AM)He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ^46 (AN)For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet your ^[o]brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the ^[p]tax collectors do so? ^48 (AO)Therefore you shall be perfect, just ^(AP)as your Father in heaven is perfect.