Matthew 5
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. When he sat down, his disciples came to him.
2 Then he opened his mouth and taught them:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
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 satisfied.
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 those who make peace, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 Blessed are you when people insult and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil things about you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because your reward is great in heaven; for that is how they persecuted the prophets who came before you.”
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by people.
14 You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl, but on a lampstand, and it shines for everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
17 Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.
18 For truly I tell you: until heaven and earth pass away, not one iota or one stroke will pass from the Law until everything happens.
19 So whoever sets aside even one of these least commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
20 For I tell you: unless your righteousness surpasses that of the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees, you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people of old, ‘Do not murder; whoever murders will be subject to judgment.’
22 But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment; whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, ‘Fool,’ will be subject to the fiery Gehenna.
23 So if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 leave your offering there in front of the altar, and go first and make peace with your brother; then come back and present your offering.
25 Come to terms quickly with your adversary while you are with him on the way, so that your adversary does not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you are thrown into prison.
26 Truly I tell you: you will not get out of there until you have paid the last quadrans.”
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’
28 But I tell you that everyone who looks at a woman with desire for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into Gehenna.
30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into Gehenna.
31 It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’
32 But I tell you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for a reason of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people of old, ‘Do not swear falsely, but fulfill your oaths to the Lord.’
34 But I tell you: do not swear at all—not by heaven, because it is God's throne;
35 not by the earth, because it is his footstool; not by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King;
36 and do not swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black.
37 Let your word be ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no.’ Anything beyond this comes from evil.”
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
39 But I tell you: do not resist the evil person; if someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him as well;
40 and if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well;
41 and if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44 But I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 so that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Do not even tax collectors do the same?
47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
48 Therefore, be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
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