Chapter 5

1When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. After he sat down, his disciples—his students and followers—came to him.

2He began teaching them:

3“How fortunate are those who know how deeply they need God, because God’s kingdom belongs to them.

4How fortunate are those who grieve, because they will be comforted.

5How fortunate are those who are gentle and humble, because they will inherit the earth.

6How fortunate are those who hunger and thirst for what is right, because their longing will be satisfied.

7How fortunate are those who show mercy, because they will receive mercy.

8How fortunate are those whose deepest motives are pure, because they will see God.

9How fortunate are those who make peace, because they will be called God’s children.

10How fortunate are those who are persecuted for doing what is right, because God’s kingdom belongs to them.

11How fortunate you are when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me.

12Rejoice and be very glad, because your reward in heaven is great. People persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.

13You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how can it become salty again? It is no longer useful for anything except to be thrown outside and trampled underfoot.

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

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

16In the same way, let your light shine where people can see it. Then they will see the good you do and honor your Father in heaven.

17Do not think that I came to abolish the Law and the Prophets—the Scriptures God had already given. I did not come to abolish them but to bring them to their intended fulfillment.

18I tell you the truth: until heaven and earth pass away, not even the smallest letter or the tiniest stroke of a letter will disappear from the Law until everything has happened.

19So anyone who sets aside even one of the least important of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least important in God’s kingdom. But anyone who obeys and teaches these commands will be called great in God’s kingdom.

20I tell you, unless you live more faithfully to what God wants than the teachers of Jewish law and the Pharisees—a group known for strict religious practice—you will certainly not enter God’s kingdom.

21You have heard that people long ago were told, ‘Do not murder,’ and, ‘Anyone who murders will answer to the court.’

22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will answer to the court. Anyone who insults a brother or sister as worthless will answer to the Jewish high council. Anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of fiery hell.

23So if you are bringing an offering to God at the altar and remember that your brother or sister has something against you,

24leave your offering there in front of the altar. First go and make peace with that person. Then return and present your offering.

25Settle matters quickly with someone who is taking you to court, while you are still on the way there together. Otherwise, your opponent may hand you over to the judge, the judge may hand you over to the court officer, and you may be thrown into prison.

26I tell you the truth: you certainly will not get out until you have paid the very last tiny coin.

27You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’

28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman for the purpose of sexually desiring her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

29If your right eye leads you into sin, tear 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.

30If your right hand leads you into 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, ‘A man who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’

32But I tell you that any man who divorces his wife, except because of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery. Anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.

33Again, you have heard that people long ago were told, ‘Do not break an oath. Carry out the vows you made to the Lord.’

34But I tell you not to swear any oath at all to guarantee your words. Do not swear by heaven, because heaven is God’s throne.

35Do not swear by the earth, because it is the footstool under his feet. Do not swear by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King.

36Do not swear by your own head, because you cannot make even one hair become white or black.

37Simply say what you mean: let your ‘Yes’ mean yes and your ‘No’ mean no. Anything beyond that comes from evil.

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

39But I tell you not to retaliate against an evil person. If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other cheek toward that person too.

40If someone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let that person have your outer coat too.

41If someone in authority forces you into service for one mile, go with that person for two miles.

42Give to the person who asks you, and do not turn away from someone 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 and pray for those who persecute you.

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

46If you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Even tax collectors, who are often regarded as corrupt, do that.

47If you greet only your own people, what are you doing that is extraordinary? Even non-Jews do that.

48So be complete in the way you love, just as your heavenly Father is complete.”