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Matthew 5-7
Disciples’ Literal New Testament

5 1 And having seen the crowds, He went up on the mountain. And He having sat-down, His disciples[a] came to Him. 2 And having opened His mouth He was teaching[b] them[c], saying—

These Are The Ones God Considers Blessed

3 “Blessed[d] are the poor in spirit, because the kingdom of the heavens is theirs. 4 Blessed are the ones mourning, because they[e] will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the gentle ones, because they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are the ones hungering and thirsting as to righteousness, because they will be filled-to-satisfaction. 7 Blessed are the merciful ones, because they will be shown-mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, because they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called sons of God[f]. 10 Blessed are the ones having been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, because the kingdom of the heavens is theirs. 11 You are blessed ones whenever they reproach you and persecute you and speak every [kind of] evil against you while lying, because-of [g] Me. 12 Be rejoicing and be overjoyed, because your reward is great in the heavens. For in this manner they persecuted the prophets before you.

You Are Salt And Light. Salt Must Be Tasty. Light Must Shine

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should become-tasteless, with what will it be salted[h]? It no longer has strength for anything except, having been thrown outside, to be trampled-underfoot by people. 14 You are the light of the world. A city lying on a hill is not able to be hidden. 15 Nor do they burn a lamp and put it under the basket, but on the lampstand— and it shines on all the ones in the house. 16 In this manner, let your light shine in front of people so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in the heavens.

I Came To Fulfill The Law. Your Righteousness Must Abound More Than The Pharisees

17 “Do not think that I came to abolish[i] the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill[j]. 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, one iota[k] or one stroke[l] will by no means pass away from the Law until all things take-place[m]. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks[n] one of the least of these commandments and in this manner teaches people— he will be called least in the kingdom of the heavens. But whoever does and teaches them— this one will be called great in the kingdom of the heavens. 20 For I say to you that unless your righteousness abounds more[o] than [that of] the scribes and Pharisees, you will by-no-means[p] enter into the kingdom of the heavens!

Some Say Do Not Murder. I Say Do Not Get Angry

21 “You heard that it was said to[q] the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder’, and ‘Whoever murders shall be liable[r] to the judgment’. 22 But I say to you that everyone being angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca’[s], shall be liable to the Sanhedrin. And whoever says, ‘Fool’[t], shall be liable to the Gehenna[u] of [v] fire. 23 Therefore if 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, having come, be offering your gift. 25 Be settling with your adversary quickly— until[w] you are with him on the way [to court]— that your adversary might not perhaps hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I say to you, you will by no means come out from there until you pay the last quadrans[x].

Some Say Do Not Commit Adultery. I Say Do Not Desire Another Woman

27 “You heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit-adultery’. 28 But I say to you that everyone looking-at a woman so-as to desire[y] her already committed-adultery-with her in his heart. 29 And if your right eye is causing you to fall, tear it out[z] and throw it from you. For it is better[aa] for you that one of your body-parts perish and your whole body not be thrown into Gehenna. 30 And if your right hand is causing you to fall, cut it off and throw it from you. For it is better for you that one of your body-parts perish and your whole body not go into Gehenna.

Some Say Get a Legal Divorce. I Say Divorcees Who Remarry Commit Adultery

31 “And it was said, ‘Whoever sends-away[ab] his wife, let him give her a divorce[ac] certificate’. 32 But I say to you that everyone sending-away his wife except for a matter[ad] of sexual-immorality is causing her to commit-adultery[ae]. And whoever marries a woman having been sent-away [from her husband] is committing-adultery.

Some Say Do Not Break Your Oath. I Say Do Not Swear an Oath At All

33 “Again, you heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not break-your-oath[af], but you shall pay your oaths to the Lord’. 34 But I say to you not to swear-with-an-oath[ag] at all— 35 neither by heaven, because it is the throne of God; nor by earth, because it is a footstool of His feet; nor with reference to Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King; 36 nor may you swear-with-an-oath by your head, because you are not able to make one hair white or black. 37 But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’, [or] ‘No, no’. And the thing beyond these is from[ah] the evil one.

Some Say Avenge an Eye For an Eye. I Say Do Not Retaliate, But Do The Opposite

38 “You heard that it was said, ‘An eye for[ai] an eye, and a tooth for a tooth’. 39 But I say to you not to resist[aj] the evil person. But whoever slaps[ak] you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 And to the one wanting to sue you and take your tunic[al], permit him also the cloak. 41 And whoever will press you into service[am] for one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one asking you, and do not turn away from the one wanting to borrow from you.

Some Say Hate Your Enemies. I Say Love Them And Pray For Them

43 “You heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy’. 44 But I say to you, be loving your enemies, and be praying for the ones persecuting you, 45 so that you may prove-to-be[an] sons of your Father[ao] in the heavens— because He causes His sun to rise upon evil and good ones, and He sends rain upon righteous and unrighteous ones. 46 For if you love the ones loving you, what reward do you have? Are not even the tax-collectors doing the same? 47 And if you greet your brothers only, what extraordinary thing are you doing? Are not even the Gentiles[ap] doing the same?

Be Perfect Reflections of Your Heavenly Father

48 “Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

But Do Not Merely Put On a Show of Righteousness For Others

6 “But take-heed not to do your righteousness[aq] in-front-of people so-as to be seen[ar] by them. Otherwise indeed, you do not have a reward with your Father in the heavens.

Don’t Give Money To Glorify Yourself. Give Without Thinking of Yourself At All

2 “So whenever you do almsgiving[as], do not trumpet it before you as-indeed the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the lanes[at] so that they may be glorified by people. Truly I say to you, they are receiving their reward[au] in full. 3 But while you are doing almsgiving, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your almsgiving may be in secret. And your Father, the One seeing in secret, will reward you.

Don’t Pray To Impress Others. Always Pray As If Alone With Your Heavenly Father

5 “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. Because standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the wide-roads, they love to pray so that they may make-an-appearance[av] to people. Truly I say to you, they are receiving their reward in full. 6 But whenever you pray, enter into your inner-room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father, the One in secret. And your Father, the One seeing in secret, will reward you.

Don’t Babble On In Prayer. Pray As a Child of God, Aligned With His Purposes

7 “And while praying, do not babble as-indeed the Gentiles do. For they are thinking that they will be heard by means of their many-words[aw]. 8 So do not be like them, for your Father knows of the things which you have a need before you ask Him. 9 Therefore, you be praying as follows, ‘Our Father in the heavens: 10 let[ax] Your name be treated-as-holy. Let Your kingdom come. Let Your will be done[ay]— as in heaven, also on earth. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also forgave[az] our debtors. 13 And do not bring us into a temptation[ba], but deliver[bb] us from the evil one[bc]’. 14 For if you forgive people their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive people their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Don’t Display Yourself As Fasting. Fast In Secret

16 “And whenever you fast, do not be like the sad-faced hypocrites. For they disfigure[bd] their faces so that they may appear to people as ones fasting. Truly I say to you, they are receiving their reward in full. 17 But while you are fasting, anoint your head and wash your face 18 so that you may not appear to people as one fasting, but to your Father, the One in secret. And your Father, the One seeing in secret, will reward you.

Build Your Storehouse of Treasure In Heaven, Not On Earth

19 “Do not be treasuring-up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moth and eating[be] destroy, and where thieves break-in and steal. 20 But be treasuring up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor eating destroys, and where thieves do not break in nor steal.

Your Heart Will Be Where Your Treasure Is. You Cannot Serve God And Money

21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart also will be. 22 The lamp[bf] of the body is the eye. Therefore if your eye is single[bg], your whole body will be full-of-light[bh]. 23 But if your eye is bad[bi], your whole body will be full-of-darkness. If then the light in you is darkness[bj], how great is the darkness! 24 No one can be serving[bk] two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted-to one and disregard[bl] the other. You cannot be serving God and wealth[bm].

Don’t Be Anxious About Your Earthly Life. Seek God’s Kingdom And Righteousness

25 “For this reason I say to you— do not be anxious[bn] for your life as to what you may eat or what you may drink, nor for your body as to what you may put-on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the heaven— that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns. And your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they? 27 And which of you while being anxious is able to add one cubit[bo] upon his life-span? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe-closely the lilies of the field, how they grow— they do not labor nor spin. 29 But I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 But if God dresses in this manner the grass of the field existing today and being thrown into an oven tomorrow, will He not by much more care for you— ones of-little-faith? 31 Therefore, do not be anxious[bp], saying, ‘What may we eat?’ or ‘What may we drink?’ or ‘What may we put-on?’ 32 For the Gentiles are seeking-after all these things. For your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. 33 But be seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is the trouble[bq] of it.

Don’t Be Judgmental of Others. But Use Discernment In Your Actions Toward Others

7 “Do not be judging[br], in order that you may not be judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with what measure you measure, it will be measured to you. 3 And why do you look-at the speck in the eye of your brother, but do not consider[bs] the log in your eye? 4 Or how will you say to your brother, ‘Permit me to take out the speck from your eye’, and behold— the log is in your eye? 5 Hypocrite! First take out the log from your eye, and then you will see-clearly to take out the speck from the eye of your brother. 6 Do not give the holy thing to the dogs[bt], nor throw your pearls in front of the pigs, so that they will not perhaps trample them with their feet, and having turned, tear you to pieces.

Keep Pursuing What You Need From God. He Will Give You Good Things

7 “Be asking, and it will be given to you; be seeking, and you will find; be knocking, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone asking receives; and the one seeking finds; and to the one knocking, it will be opened. 9 Or what person is there from-among you whom his son will ask-for bread— he will not give him a stone[bu], will he? 10 Or indeed he will ask-for a fish— he will not give him a snake[bv], will he? 11 Therefore if you, being evil, know-how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in the heavens give good things to the ones asking Him!

Treat Others As You Yourself Want To Be Treated

12 “Therefore, everything that you want[bw] people to be doing to you, thus also you be doing to them. For this is the Law and the Prophets.

Enter God’s Kingdom Through The Narrow Gate, Which Is Found By Few

13 “Enter through the narrow gate, because wide is the gate and broad[bx] is the road leading-away to destruction— and many are the ones entering through it. 14 How narrow is the gate and constricted[by] is the road leading-away to life— and few are the ones finding it.

Beware of False Prophets. The Nature of What They Produce Will Reveal Them

15 “Beware of the false-prophets— who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inside are ravenous[bz] wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. They do not collect grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles, do they? 17 Thus, every good tree produces good fruit, but the bad tree produces bad[ca] fruit. 18 A good tree is not able to produce bad fruit, nor is a bad tree able to produce good[cb] fruit. 19 Every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So indeed, you will know them by their fruits.

Not Everyone Talking About God Knows Him. Only Those Doing His Will Enter His Kingdom

21 “Not everyone saying to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of My Father in the heavens. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and cast-out demons in Your name, and do many miracles[cc] in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare[cd] to them that ‘I never knew[ce] you. Depart from Me, ones working lawlessness’. 24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and is doing them will be-like a wise[cf] man who built his house upon the bed-rock. 25 And the rain came down, and the rivers[cg] came, and the winds blew— and they fell against that house. And it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the bed-rock. 26 And everyone hearing these words of Mine and not doing them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand. 27 And the rain came down, and the rivers came, and the winds blew— and they struck-against that house. And it fell, and the falling[ch] of it was great”.

The Works of The King: Divine Power In Action

28 And it came about that when Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astounded[ci] at His teaching. 29 For He was teaching them as One having authority, and not as their scribes.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:1 That is, the twelve; or, the larger group from which the twelve were chosen, Lk 6:13, 17, 20.
  2. Matthew 5:2 Chapters 5-7 may represent the attainable standard of righteousness necessary to enter the kingdom; or, the unattainable standard that drives us to Christ, the premier application of the Law; or, the standard of conduct for those who have entered the kingdom.
  3. Matthew 5:2 That is, the crowds (note 7:28); or, the disciples.
  4. Matthew 5:3 Or, Fortunate, Happy, from God’s point of view.
  5. Matthew 5:4 Or, they themselves (and in each case below). This word has the emphasis.
  6. Matthew 5:9 That is, children characterized by the same trait as their Father.
  7. Matthew 5:11 That is, from the persecutor’s point of view. Or, for the sake of, from the believer’s point of view.
  8. Matthew 5:13 Or, seasoned.
  9. Matthew 5:17 Or, destroy, do away with, annul.
  10. Matthew 5:17 Or, complete, finish. That is, to perfectly fulfill the Law’s requirements; or, to fill out its true meaning and intent in His teaching; or, to bring it to its completion and conclusion in His death.
  11. Matthew 5:18 That is, the smallest letter, like our i.
  12. Matthew 5:18 That is, the single stoke that distinguishes one letter from another, like an E from an F, or a Q from an O.
  13. Matthew 5:18 Or, happen, come about.
  14. Matthew 5:19 That is, annuls the authority of, does away with, repeals.
  15. Matthew 5:20 As seen in what follows, Jesus means it must not merely be an external righteousness.
  16. Matthew 5:20 Or, never.
  17. Matthew 5:21 Or, by.
  18. Matthew 5:21 Or, answerable, subject.
  19. Matthew 5:22 That is, empty one; numbskull, blockhead.
  20. Matthew 5:22 This may have the same meaning as Raca; or, Raca may insult the intellect, Fool the character.
  21. Matthew 5:22 Or, hell.
  22. Matthew 5:22 That is, characterized by fire; the fiery Gehenna.
  23. Matthew 5:25 Lit, up to which time. Or, while, in which case ‘[to court]’ can be omitted.
  24. Matthew 5:26 This is the smallest Roman coin, 1/64th of a denarius (a day’s wage). That is, once you enter the judicial system, this world’s or God’s, the full penalty must be paid.
  25. Matthew 5:28 so as to desire. This expresses the purpose of the looking.
  26. Matthew 5:29 Take whatever action is necessary to avoid sinning.
  27. Matthew 5:29 The eternal consequences of sin are far worse that losing physical eyesight.
  28. Matthew 5:31 Or, dismisses. This refers to the physical separation aspect of divorce. The legal aspect is referred to next.
  29. Matthew 5:31 This legal document was to protect the woman and make it possible for her to remarry.
  30. Matthew 5:32 Or, word, account.
  31. Matthew 5:32 Or, become-an-adulteress. That is, when she remarries.
  32. Matthew 5:33 Or, swear-falsely, make-false-oaths.
  33. Matthew 5:34 Or, affirm, confirm with an oath, such as saying ‘I swear by heaven...’.
  34. Matthew 5:37 Or, of evil; that is, of evil origin.
  35. Matthew 5:38 That is, let your revenge be in proportion to the offense.
  36. Matthew 5:39 Or, oppose, stand against. Leave vengeance to God. Do not return evil for evil, Rom 12:17.
  37. Matthew 5:39 A slap is a personal affront.
  38. Matthew 5:40 tunic... cloak. The Law did not permit Jews to take the outer cloak, but they could sue for the tunic, the undergarment.
  39. Matthew 5:41 Soldiers would compel people to carry their things. Simon was pressed into service to carry the cross, Mt 27:32.
  40. Matthew 5:45 Or, be, become.
  41. Matthew 5:45 That is, children characterized by the same trait as your Father.
  42. Matthew 5:47 That is, the non-believers.
  43. Matthew 6:1 That is, your righteous deeds.
  44. Matthew 6:1 That is, for the purpose of being seen.
  45. Matthew 6:2 That is, give to the poor as charity.
  46. Matthew 6:2 Or, narrow streets, alleys.
  47. Matthew 6:2 Their reward is glory from people.
  48. Matthew 6:5 Or, are-visible.
  49. Matthew 6:7 Or, wordiness, much talking.
  50. Matthew 6:10 That is, make it reality that your name is treated as holy (it does not mean ‘let’ in the sense of ‘allow’). All six requests are in the form of a command (as usual), but the grammar changes with the fourth request.
  51. Matthew 6:10 Or, take place, come about, happen, become reality.
  52. Matthew 6:12 Forgiveness is assumed to be a characteristic part of a believer’s life.
  53. Matthew 6:13 That is, a situation in which we will be tempted by the evil one. Or, testing, trial. Compare Lk 22:40.
  54. Matthew 6:13 Or, rescue, save.
  55. Matthew 6:13 Or, from evil. Some manuscripts add ‘Because Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, amen’.
  56. Matthew 6:16 These people blackened their faces with ashes so they would be seen by others as ones fasting.
  57. Matthew 6:19 That is, the consumption of all kinds of treasures by all kinds of natural processes, of which moth-eating is a specific example. Or, eating by rust, corroding (a meaning not found elsewhere in Greek), if Jesus specifically has in view here a different category of treasure than that eaten by moths, metal treasures.
  58. Matthew 6:22 That is, the source of light.
  59. Matthew 6:22 Or, sincere, simple. That is, single-focused on God; or, spiritually healthy.
  60. Matthew 6:22 Or, illuminated.
  61. Matthew 6:23 That is, double-focused on wealth and God; or, sick, spiritually diseased.
  62. Matthew 6:23 That is, if the spiritual ‘light’ your eye allows in is in fact darkness.
  63. Matthew 6:24 That is, be serving as slave to.
  64. Matthew 6:24 The slave will internally hate or love one master over the other, or he will express this in action, devoting himself to serving one while disregarding the other.
  65. Matthew 6:24 Or, property, money.
  66. Matthew 6:25 Or, be worried about, be concerned about. The grammar implies, stop being anxious, or, do not be in the habit of being anxious.
  67. Matthew 6:27 That is, add 18 inches, one step, to his life’s path.
  68. Matthew 6:31 The grammar implies, do not become anxious, as also in v 34, addressing the issue as a whole.
  69. Matthew 6:34 Or, misfortune, evil, badness.
  70. Matthew 7:1 That is, in the sense of finding fault with, criticizing, passing judgment on.
  71. Matthew 7:3 Or, notice, perceive.
  72. Matthew 7:6 That is, unholy persons, God-rejecters, as in Rev 22:15. This statement balances v 1 and 3, since this requires a proper kind of judging.
  73. Matthew 7:9 That is, something useless.
  74. Matthew 7:10 That is, something harmful.
  75. Matthew 7:12 Or, wish, desire, intend.
  76. Matthew 7:13 Or, spacious, roomy.
  77. Matthew 7:14 Or, pressed in, compressed.
  78. Matthew 7:15 Or, thieving, vicious.
  79. Matthew 7:17 good ... good... bad... bad. Two different words are used for ‘good’ and ‘bad’ here. Jesus may mean every ‘beneficial’ type of tree (like a fruit tree) produces fruit ‘fit’ to eat, but every ‘unusable’ type of tree produces ‘useless’ fruit or none at all. Or, He may mean every ‘good’ fruit tree produces ‘healthy’ fruit, but the ‘rotten’ fruit tree produces ‘bad’ fruit or none at all.
  80. Matthew 7:18 good... bad... bad... good. That is, the ‘beneficial’ type of tree cannot produce ‘useless’ fruit, nor the ‘unusable’ tree fruit ‘fit’ to eat; or, the ‘good’ fruit tree cannot produce ‘bad’ fruit, nor can the ‘rotten’ fruit tree produce ‘healthy’ fruit.
  81. Matthew 7:22 Or, works of power.
  82. Matthew 7:23 Or. confess.
  83. Matthew 7:23 That is, as one of My family.
  84. Matthew 7:24 Or, prudent, sensible.
  85. Matthew 7:25 That is, rivers of flood waters.
  86. Matthew 7:27 Or, collapse, downfall.
  87. Matthew 7:28 Or, overwhelmed, amazed, astonished.
Listen to Matthew 5-7
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Matthew 5-7
New International Version

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes(A)

He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.(B)
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.(C)
5 Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.(D)
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.(E)
7 Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.(F)
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,(G)
    for they will see God.(H)
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,(I)
    for they will be called children of God.(J)
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,(K)
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.(L)

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you,(M) persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.(N) 12 Rejoice and be glad,(O) because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.(P)

Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.(Q)

14 “You are the light of the world.(R) A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.(S) 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others,(T) that they may see your good deeds(U) and glorify(V) your Father in heaven.

The Fulfillment of the Law

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.(W) 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.(X) 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands(Y) and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.(Z)

Murder(AA)

21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,[a](AB) and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry(AC) with a brother or sister[b][c] will be subject to judgment.(AD) Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[d] is answerable to the court.(AE) And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.(AF)

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Adultery

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’[e](AG) 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.(AH) 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble,(AI) 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. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble,(AJ) 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.

Divorce

31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’[f](AK) 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.(AL)

Oaths

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath,(AM) but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’(AN) 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all:(AO) either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;(AP) 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.(AQ) 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’;(AR) anything beyond this comes from the evil one.[g](AS)

Eye for Eye

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[h](AT) 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.(AU) 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.(AV)

Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i](AW) and hate your enemy.’(AX) 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,(AY) 45 that you may be children(AZ) of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.(BA) 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?(BB) Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.(BC)

Giving to the Needy

6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.(BD) If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.(BE)

Prayer(BF)

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing(BG) in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father,(BH) who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling(BI) like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.(BJ) 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need(BK) before you ask him.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father(BL) in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom(BM) come,
your will be done,(BN)
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.(BO)
12 And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.(BP)
13 And lead us not into temptation,[j](BQ)
    but deliver us from the evil one.[k]’(BR)

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.(BS) 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.(BT)

Fasting

16 “When you fast,(BU) do not look somber(BV) as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.(BW)

Treasures in Heaven(BX)

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,(BY) where moths and vermin destroy,(BZ) and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,(CA) where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.(CB) 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.(CC)

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[l] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,[m] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.(CD)

Do Not Worry(CE)

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry(CF) about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.(CG) Are you not much more valuable than they?(CH) 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[n]?(CI)

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor(CJ) was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?(CK) 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.(CL) 33 But seek first his kingdom(CM) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.(CN) 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Judging Others(CO)

7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.(CP) 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.(CQ)

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Ask, Seek, Knock(CR)

7 “Ask and it will be given to you;(CS) seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds;(CT) and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts(CU) to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you,(CV) for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.(CW)

The Narrow and Wide Gates

13 “Enter through the narrow gate.(CX) For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

True and False Prophets

15 “Watch out for false prophets.(CY) They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.(CZ) 16 By their fruit you will recognize them.(DA) Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?(DB) 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.(DC) 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.(DD) 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

True and False Disciples

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’(DE) will enter the kingdom of heaven,(DF) but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.(DG) 22 Many will say to me on that day,(DH) ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’(DI) 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’(DJ)

The Wise and Foolish Builders(DK)

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice(DL) is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

28 When Jesus had finished saying these things,(DM) the crowds were amazed at his teaching,(DN) 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:21 Exodus 20:13
  2. Matthew 5:22 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a fellow disciple, whether man or woman; also in verse 23.
  3. Matthew 5:22 Some manuscripts brother or sister without cause
  4. Matthew 5:22 An Aramaic term of contempt
  5. Matthew 5:27 Exodus 20:14
  6. Matthew 5:31 Deut. 24:1
  7. Matthew 5:37 Or from evil
  8. Matthew 5:38 Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21
  9. Matthew 5:43 Lev. 19:18
  10. Matthew 6:13 The Greek for temptation can also mean testing.
  11. Matthew 6:13 Or from evil; some late manuscripts one, / for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
  12. Matthew 6:22 The Greek for healthy here implies generous.
  13. Matthew 6:23 The Greek for unhealthy here implies stingy.
  14. Matthew 6:27 Or single cubit to your height
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