Matthew 5
5
The Sermon on the Mount
1When he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain,#Mk 3:13; Lk 9:28; Jn 6:3,15 and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2Then#5:2 Lit Then opening his mouth he began to teach them, saying:#Ac 8:35; 10:34; 18:14
The Beatitudes
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, #
Is 57:15; 66:2
for the kingdom of heaven #
Mt 19:14; 25:34; Mk 10:14; Lk 6:20 is theirs.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, #
Is 61:2; Mt 11:29; 21:5; Jn 16:20; Rv 7:17
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the humble, #
Ps 37:11; Rm 4:13; Rv 21:7
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, #
Is 55:1–2; Jn 4:14; 6:48; 7:37
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy. #
Pr 11:17; Mt 18:33; Lk 6:36; 2Tm 1:16
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God. #
Ps 24:4; Heb 12:14; 1Jn 3:2; Rv 22:4
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God. #
Mt 5:45; Lk 6:35; Rm 8:14; Jms 3:18; 1Jn 3:1
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for the kingdom of heaven #
Mt 19:14; 25:34; Mk 10:14; Lk 6:20; 22:29 is theirs.
11 “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. 12Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted#Mt 2:23; 2Tm 3:12 the prophets who were before you.#Mt 23:37; Ac 7:52; 1Th 2:15
Believers Are Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? # 5:13 Or how can the earth be salted? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. #Mk 9:50; Lk 14:34
14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. #
Pr 4:18; Jn 8:12; Php 2:15 15No one lights a lamp#Jn 5:35; Rv 21:23 and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house.#Mk 4:21; Lk 8:16; 11:33 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.#Mt 9:8; Jn 15:8; 1Pt 2:12
Christ Fulfills the Law
17 “Don’t think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. #
Mt 7:12; Rm 3:31; 10:4; 13:8; Gl 3:24 18For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter#5:18 Or not one iota; iota is the smallest letter of the Gk alphabet. or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all things are accomplished. 19Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.#Mt 11:11; 24:35; Lk 16:17; Jms 2:10 20For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
Murder Begins in the Heart
21 “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, # 5:21 Ex 20:13; Dt 5:17 #
Ex 20:13; Dt 5:17 and whoever murders will be subject to judgment.#Mt 19:18; 23:31,35; Mk 10:19; Lk 18:20; Rm 13:9; Jms 2:11 22But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister#5:22 Other mss add without a cause will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults#5:22 Lit Whoever says ‘Raca’; an Aramaic term of abuse that puts someone down, insulting one’s intelligence his brother or sister will be subject to the court.#5:22 Lit Sanhedrin Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire.#5:22 Lit the gehenna of fire#Mt 18:9; Mk 9:43; Jms 3:6; 1Jn 3:15 23So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. 25Reach a settlement quickly with your adversary while you’re on the way with him to the court, or your adversary will hand you over to the judge, and the judge to #5:25 Other mss read judge will hand you over to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. #Pr 25:8; Lk 12:58 26Truly I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny. #5:26 Lit quadrans, the smallest and least valuable Roman coin, worth 1/64 of a daily wage
Adultery Begins in the Heart
27 “You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery. # 5:27 Ex 20:14; Dt 5:18 #
Ex 20:14; Dt 5:18 28But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.#2Sm 11:2; Jb 31:1; Pr 6:25 29If your right eye causes you to sin,#Mt 18:9; Mk 9:47 gouge it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.#Mt 10:28; 23:15,33; Lk 12:5 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Divorce Practices Censured
31 “It was also said, Whoever divorces #
Jr 3:1; Mt 19:7; Mk 10:4 his wife must give her a written notice of divorce.#5:31 Dt 24:1 #Dt 24:1 32But I tell you, everyone who divorces his wife, except in a case of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.#Mt 19:9; Mk 10:11; Lk 16:18; Rm 7:3; 1Co 7:11
Tell the Truth
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to our ancestors, You must not break your oath, but you must keep your oaths to the Lord. # 5:33 Lv 19:12; Nm 30:2; Dt 23:21 #
Lv 19:12; Nm 30:2; Dt 23:21; Mt 23:16 34But I tell you, don’t take an oath at all: either by heaven, because it is God’s throne; 35or by the earth, because it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King.#Ps 48:2; Is 66:1; Mt 23:22; Ac 7:49; Jms 5:12 36Do not swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37But let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’ Anything more than this is from the evil one.#Mt 6:13; 13:19,38; Jn 17:15; 2Th 3:3
Go the Second Mile
38 “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. # 5:38 Ex 21:24; Lv 24:20; Dt 19:21 #
Ex 21:24; Lv 24:20; Dt 19:21 39But I tell you, don’t resist#5:39 Or don’t set yourself against, or don’t retaliate against an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.#Lk 6:29–30; Rm 12:17; 1Co 6:7; 1Pt 3:9 40As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well. 41And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.#Dt 15:8; Lk 6:34
Love Your Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor # 5:43 Lv 19:18 #
Lv 19:18; Dt 23:6; Lk 10:29 and hate your enemy. 44But I tell you, love your enemies#5:44 Other mss add bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who#5:44 Other mss add mistreat you and persecute you, #Lk 6:27; 23:34; Ac 7:60; Rm 12:20; 1Co 4:12; 1Pt 2:23 45so that you may be #5:45 Or may become, or may show yourselves to be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.#Jb 25:3; Mt 5:9; Lk 6:35; Ac 14:17 46For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what are you doing out of the ordinary? #5:47 Or doing that is superior; lit doing more#Mt 5:37; Mk 6:51; Jn 10:10; Rm 3:1; 2Co 9:1 Don’t even the Gentiles#5:47 Other mss read tax collectors do the same? 48Be perfect,#Gn 17:1; Lv 19:2; Php 3:15; Col 4:12; Jms 1:4; 1Pt 1:15 therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
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Matthew 5: CSB
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© 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
Matthew 5
5
The Beatitudes
1When Jesus#5.1 Gk he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely#5.11 Other ancient authorities lack falsely on my account. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Salt and Light
13“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
14“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
The Law and the Prophets
17“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter,#5.18 Gk one iota not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19Therefore, whoever breaks#5.19 Or annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Concerning Anger
21“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ 22But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister,#5.22 Gk a brother!; other ancient authorities add without cause you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult#5.22 Gk say Raca to (an obscure term of abuse) a brother or sister,#5.22 Gk a brother you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell#5.22 Gk Gehenna of fire. 23So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister#5.23 Gk your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister,#5.24 Gk your brother and then come and offer your gift. 25Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court#5.25 Gk lacks to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Concerning Adultery
27“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.#5.29 Gk Gehenna 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.#5.30 Gk Gehenna
Concerning Divorce
31“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Concerning Oaths
33“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ 34But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.#5.37 Or evil
Concerning Retaliation
38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers and sisters,#5.47 Gk your brothers what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
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New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.