Matthew 5:33-37

Expanded Bible

Make Promises Carefully

³³ “[^LAgain] You have heard that it was said to ·our people long ago [our ancestors; the ancients], ‘Don’t break your ·promises [vows; oaths], but ·keep [fulfill] the ·promises [vows; oaths] you make to the Lord [Lev. 19:12; Num. 30:2; Deut. 23:21].’ ³⁴ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all. ·Don’t swear an oath using the name of heaven [^L…neither by heaven], because heaven is God’s throne. ³⁵ ·Don’t swear an oath using the name of the earth [^L…nor by earth], because the earth ·belongs to God [^Lis his footstool; Is. 66:1]. ·Don’t swear an oath using the name of Jerusalem […nor by Jerusalem], because it is the city of the great King [Ps. 48:2]. ³⁶ Don’t even swear by your own head, because you cannot make one hair on your head become white or black. ³⁷ ·Say only yes if you mean yes, and no if you mean no [^LLet your word “yes” be “yes”; your “no” be “no”]. ·If you say more than yes or no, it [^LAnything more than this] is from the Evil One.