Matthew 5
1When he saw the crowds, he went up onto the mountain, and when he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 2And opening his mouth, he began teaching them, saying:
3"Blessed are the destitute in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5Blessed are those gentle in strength, for they will inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10Blessed are those who have been persecuted on account of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say every kind of evil against you falsely on my account. 12Rejoice and be overjoyed, because your reward is great in the heavens—for this is how they persecuted the prophets who came before you.
13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt becomes foolish, with what will it be made salty? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people.
14"You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in the heavens.
17"Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one iota or one stroke will pass away from the Law until all things come to pass. 19Therefore, whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of the heavens. But whoever practices and teaches them—this one will be called great in the kingdom of the heavens. 20For I tell you that unless your righteousness far exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of the heavens.
21"You have heard that it was said to the ancients, 'You shall not murder,' and 'Whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' 22But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment. And whoever says to his brother 'Raka!' will be liable to the Sanhedrin. And whoever says 'You fool!' will be liable to the Gehenna of fire.
23"So if you are bringing your gift to the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
25"Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are still with him on the road, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. 26Truly I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last quadrans.
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 in order to desire 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 that one of your members should perish than for your whole body to be thrown into Gehenna. 30And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your members should perish than for your whole body to go into Gehenna.
31"It was said, 'Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' 32But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the grounds of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
33"Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall fulfill your oaths to the Lord.' 34But I say to you, do not swear at all—not by heaven, for it is the throne of God; 35not by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; not 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 beyond this comes from the evil one.
38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.' 39But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer. Rather, whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41And whoever conscripts you for one mile, go with him two. 42Give 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, 'You shall love your neighbor' and 'You shall hate your enemy.' 44But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may become sons of your Father who is in the heavens—for he makes his sun rise on the wicked and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. 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, what more are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48Therefore you shall be complete, as your heavenly Father is complete."