New Testament · Gospels and Acts

Matthew chapter 5

When Jesus saw the , he went up the and sat down. His gathered around him,and he began to them. He said:“ those who are — belongs to them.Life is good for those who —they will be .Life is good for the —they will .Life is good for those who are for —they will be .Life is good for the —they will receive .Life is good for the —they will .Life is good for those who —they will be called .Life is good for those who are for —God’s kingdom belongs to them.Life is good for you when people you, persecute you, and about you because of me., because your in heaven is huge! They persecuted the who came before you the exact same way.“You are the of the earth. But if salt , how can it be made salty again? It’s useless—good for nothing but being thrown out and walked on.You are the of the . A city built on a hill can’t be hidden.Nobody lights a and then puts it under a . No—you put it on a stand so it lights up the whole house.In the same way, let your light shine in front of everyone so they can see the and your .“Don’t think I came to . I didn’t come to tear them down—I came to .: until heaven and earth disappear, not the —not even the —will disappear from the Law until everything it points to has happened.So anyone who even the of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least important in God’s kingdom. But whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in God’s kingdom.I’m telling you, unless the way you live is than the and the , you will never enter God’s kingdom.“ to people long ago, ‘Don’t ,’ and ‘Anyone who murders will face .’But I’m telling you, anyone who at a brother or sister will face judgment. Anyone who calls someone will answer to the . And anyone who says ‘’ is in danger of the fire of .So if you’re at the about to offer your to God and you remember that someone has something against you,leave your gift right there in front of the altar. Go and with that person first, then come back and offer your gift.“Settle things quickly with your while you’re still on the way to court with them. Otherwise they might hand you over to the judge, the judge to the officer, and you’ll be thrown in prison.I’m telling you the truth: you won’t get out until you’ve paid back .“You’ve heard it was said, ‘Don’t commit .’But I’m telling you, anyone who a woman has already committed adultery with her in his heart.If your right eye , tear it out and throw it away. It’s better to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into Gehenna.And if your causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to end up in Gehenna.“It was also said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a .’But I’m telling you, anyone who divorces his wife—except for —causes her to be . And anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.“Again, you’ve heard it was said to people long ago, ‘Don’t , but .’But I’m telling you, . Don’t swear by heaven—it’s God’s throne.Don’t swear by the earth—it’s God’s . Don’t swear by Jerusalem—it’s the city of .And don’t swear by —you can’t even make a single hair white or black.Just let your ‘yes’ mean yes and your ‘no’ mean no. Anything more than that comes from .“You’ve heard it was said, ‘An and a tooth for a tooth.’But I’m telling you, an evil person. If someone , turn the other cheek to them too.If someone wants to sue you and take your , let them have your too.If someone for , carry it two. to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from someone who wants to from you.“You’ve heard it was said, ‘ your ’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’But I’m telling you: . the people who you.Then you’ll be acting like true . He makes the sun rise on alike, and sends rain on those who do right and those who don’t.If you only love people who love you back, what is there in that? Even the do that much.And if you only , what are you doing that’s any different? Even the do that.So be in your love, just as your ’s love is complete.