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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Matthew 5: NRSV
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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.
Matthew 5
5
The Sermon on the Mount
(Mt 5–7)
1#Mt 15:29; Mk 3:13Now seeing the crowds, He went up on a mountain. And when He sat down, His disciples came to Him.
The Beatitudes
Lk 6:20–23
2#Mt 13:35; Ac 8:35And He began speaking and taught them, saying:
3#Isa 61:1; 66:2 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4#Isa 61:2–3; Rev 21:4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
5#Ps 37:11; Ro 4:13 Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
6#Jn 4:14; 6:48–58 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be filled.
7#2Sa 22:26; Pr 11:17 Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
8#Ps 24:4; Heb 12:14 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God.
9#Mt 5:45; Lk 6:35 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the sons of God.
10#Mt 5:3; Lk 6:22 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11#1Pe 4:14; Lk 6:22“Blessed are you when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12#Lk 6:23; Ac 5:41; 1Th 2:15Rejoice and be very glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in this manner they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Salt and Light
Mk 9:50; Lk 14:34–35
13#Lev 2:13; Lk 14:34–35“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how shall it be made salty? It is from then on good for nothing but to be thrown out and to be trampled underfoot by men.
14#Jn 8:12; Pr 4:18“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15#Mk 4:21; Lk 8:16Neither do men light a candle and put it under a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the house. 16#1Pe 2:12; Mt 9:8; Jn 15:8Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Teaching About the Law
17#Ro 3:31; Mt 7:12“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish, but to fulfill. 18#Lk 16:17For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one dot or one mark will pass from the law until all be fulfilled. 19#Mt 11:11Whoever, therefore, breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20#Php 3:9; Heb 12:14For I say to you that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will in no way enter the kingdom of heaven.
Teaching About Anger
21#Ex 20:13; Dt 5:17“You have heard that it was said by the ancients, ‘You shall not murder,’#Ex 20:13; Dt 5:17. and ‘Whoever murders shall be in danger of the judgment.’ 22#Mt 10:28; 26:59But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ shall be in danger of the Sanhedrin. But whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be in danger of hell fire.
23#Mt 8:4; 23:19“Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24#Mk 9:50; Ro 12:17–18leave your gift there before the altar and go on your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
25#Pr 25:8; Lk 12:58–59“Reconcile with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26#Mt 18:34; Lk 12:59Truly I say to you, you will by no means come out of there until you have paid the last penny.#Gk. kodrantes.
Teaching About Adultery
27#Ex 20:14; Dt 5:18“You have heard that it was said by the ancients, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’#Ex 20:14; Dt 5:18. 28#Job 31:1; 2Sa 11:2But I say to you that whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29#Mt 18:8–9; Mk 9:43–48And if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away. For it is profitable that one of your members should perish, and not that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30#Mt 5:29And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish, and not that your whole body be thrown into hell.
Teaching About Divorce
Mt 19:9; Mk 10:11–12; Lk 16:18
31#Jer 3:1; Mt 19:7“It was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’#Dt 24:1, 3. 32#Lk 16:18; 1Co 7:10–11; Mt 5:28But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to commit adultery. And whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.
Teaching About Oaths
33#Lev 19:12; Dt 23:21“Again, you have heard that it was said by the ancients, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall fulfill your oaths to the Lord.’#Lev 19:12; Nu 30:2; Dt 23:21. 34#Isa 66:1; Jas 5:12But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35#Ps 48:2nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37#Jas 5:12; Mt 13:19But let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these comes from the evil one.
Teaching About Revenge
Lk 6:29–30
38#Dt 19:21“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’#Ex 21:24; Lev 24:20; Dt 19:21. 39#1Co 6:7; Isa 50:6But I say to you, do not resist an evil person. But whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other as well. 40And if anyone sues you in a court of law and takes away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41#Mt 27:32And whoever compels you to go a mile,#Jnh 3:5. go with him two. 42#Ps 37:21; Pr 19:17Give to him who asks you, and from him who would borrow from you do not turn away.
Love for Enemies
Lk 6:27–28, 32–36
43#Lev 19:18; Dt 23:6“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor#Lev 19:18. and hate your enemy.’ 44#Lk 23:34; Ac 7:60But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45#Mt 5:9; Lk 6:35that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47#Mt 5:20And if you greet your brothers only, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48#Lev 19:2; Col 1:28Therefore be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.
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