Matthew 5

1When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him,

2And Jesus began to teach them. He said:

3Blessed are those who know they are spiritually poor, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

4Blessed are those who are sad, because God will comfort them.

5Blessed are the gentle, because they will receive the earth as their own.

6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst to do what is right, because they will be satisfied.

7Blessed are those who show mercy, because they will be shown mercy.

8Blessed are those whose hearts are pure, because they will see God.

9Blessed are those who make peace, because they will be called children of God.

10Blessed are those who are treated badly for doing right, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

11Blessed are you when people insult you, treat you badly, and tell all kinds of lies about you because you follow me.

12Be glad and full of joy, because a great reward is waiting for you in heaven. People treated the prophets who lived long ago in the same way.

13You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and walked on by people.

14You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.

15People do not light a lamp and put it under a bowl. They put it on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.

16In the same way, let your light shine in front of others, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

17Do not think I have come to do away with the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. I have not come to do away with them, but to fulfill them.

18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest letter or mark will disappear from the law until everything has come true.

19So 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 obeys these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20I tell you, unless you do what is right better than the teachers of the law and the Pharisees do, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

21You have heard that people long ago were told: Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be judged.

22But I tell you, anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be judged. Anyone who insults a brother or sister will have to answer to the court. And anyone who says, You fool! will be in danger of the fire of hell.

23So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,

24Leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and make peace with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

25Make peace quickly with someone who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.

26I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

27You have heard that it was said: Do not commit adultery.

28But I tell you, anyone who looks at a woman and wants to sin with her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

29If your right eye causes you to sin, take it out and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

31It was also said: Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a written notice of divorce.

32But I tell you, anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual sin, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

33Again, you have heard that people long ago were told: Do not break your promise, but keep the promises you make to the Lord.

34But I tell you, do not make promises by swearing at all — not by heaven, because it is God's throne,

35Or by the earth, because it is the place where God rests His feet, or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King.

36And do not swear by your head, because you cannot make even one hair white or black.

37Just let your yes be yes and your no be no. Anything more than this comes from the evil one.

38You have heard that it was said: An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.

39But I tell you, do not fight back against someone who is evil. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other cheek to him too.

40If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat as well.

41If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

43You have heard that it was said: Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.

44But I tell you, love your enemies. Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you. And pray for those who treat you badly and hurt you.

45Then you will be children of your Father in heaven. He makes His sun rise on the evil and the good, and He sends rain on those who do right and those who do wrong.

46If you love only those who love you, what reward will you get? Even the tax collectors do that.

47And if you are kind only to your friends, what are you doing more than others? Even people who do not know God do that.

48So be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.