New Testament in a Year

Adultery

²⁷ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ (Exodus 20:14) ²⁸ But here is what I tell you. Do not even look at a woman in the wrong way. Anyone who does has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹ If your right eye causes you to sin, poke it out and throw it away. Your eye is only one part of your body. It is better to lose an eye than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. ³⁰ If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. Your hand is only one part of your body. It is better to lose a hand than for your whole body to go into hell.

Divorce

³¹ “It has been said, ‘Suppose a man divorces his wife. If he does, he must give her a letter of divorce.’ (Deuteronomy 24:1) ³² But here is what I tell you. Anyone who divorces his wife makes her a victim of adultery. And anyone who gets married to the divorced woman commits adultery. A man may divorce his wife only if she has not been faithful to him.

Promises

³³ “Again, you have heard what was said to your people long ago. They were told, ‘Do not break the promises you make to the Lord. Keep your promises to the Lord that you have made.’ ³⁴ But here is what I tell you. Do not make any promises like that at all. Do not make them in the name of heaven. That is God’s throne. ³⁵ Do not make them in the name of the earth. That is the stool for God’s feet. Do not make them in the name of Jerusalem. That is the city of the Great King. ³⁶ And do not make a promise in your own name. You can’t make even one hair of your head white or black. ³⁷ All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ Anything more than this comes from the evil one.

Be Kind to Others

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye must be put out for an eye. A tooth must be knocked out for a tooth.’ (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21) ³⁹ But here is what I tell you. Do not fight against an evil person. Suppose someone slaps you on your right cheek. Turn your other cheek to them also. ⁴⁰ Suppose someone takes you to court to get your shirt. Let them have your coat also. ⁴¹ Suppose someone forces you to go one mile. Go two miles with them. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you for something. Don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow something from you.

Love Your Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor. (Leviticus 19:18) Hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But here is what I tell you. Love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you. ⁴⁵ Then you will be children of your Father who is in heaven. He causes his sun to shine on evil people and good people. He sends rain on those who do right and those who don’t. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Even the tax collectors do that. ⁴⁷ If you greet only your own people, what more are you doing than others? Even people who are ungodly do that. ⁴⁸ So be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.