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-CI
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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 Beatitudes
1And seeing the multitudes, #Matt. 14:23; 15:29; 17:1; Mark 3:13; Luke 6:17; 9:28; John 6:3, 15He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2Then He opened His mouth and #(Matt. 7:29); Mark 10:1; 12:35; John 8:2taught them, saying:
3“Blessed#Prov. 16:19; Is. 66:2; Luke 6:20–23 are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4#Is. 61:2, 3; Luke 6:21; (John 16:20); Acts 16:34; (2 Cor. 1:7); Rev. 21:4Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5#Ps. 37:11; Is. 29:19Blessed are the meek,
For #(Rom. 4:13)they shall inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who #Luke 1:53; Acts 2:4hunger and thirst for righteousness,
#(Is. 55:1; 65:13; John 4:14; 6:48; 7:37)For they shall be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
#Ps. 41:1; Mark 11:25For they shall obtain mercy.
8#Ps. 15:2; 24:4; Heb. 12:14Blessed are the pure in heart,
For #Acts 7:55, 56; 1 Cor. 13:12they shall see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10#(2 Cor. 4:17); 1 Pet. 3:14Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11#Luke 6:22“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of #1 Pet. 4:14evil against you falsely for My sake. 12#Luke 6:23; Acts 5:41; 1 Pet. 4:13, 14Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for #2 Chr. 36:16; Neh. 9:26; Matt. 23:37; Acts 7:52; 1 Thess. 2:15; Heb. 11:35–37; James 5:10so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Believers Are Salt and Light
13“You are the salt of the earth; #Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14#(Prov. 4:18; John 8:12); Phil. 2:15“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Nor do they #Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16; Phil. 2:15light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, #1 Pet. 2:12that they may see your good works and #(John 15:8); 1 Cor. 14:25glorify your Father in heaven.
Christ Fulfills the Law
17#Rom. 10:4“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18For assuredly, I say to you, #Matt. 24:35; Luke 16:17till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19#(James 2:10)Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds #(Rom. 10:3)the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Murder Begins in the Heart
21“You have heard that it was said to those of old, #Ex. 20:13; Deut. 5:17‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22But I say to you that #(1 John 3:15)whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, #(James 2:20; 3:6)‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. 23Therefore #Matt. 8:4if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24#(Job 42:8; 1 Tim. 2:8; 1 Pet. 3:7)leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25#(Prov. 25:8); Luke 12:58, 59Agree with your adversary quickly, #(Ps. 32:6; Is. 55:6)while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.
Adultery in the Heart
27“You have heard that it was said to those of old, #Ex. 20:14; Deut. 5:18‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28But I say to you that whoever #2 Sam. 11:2–5; Job 31:1; Prov. 6:25; (Matt. 15:19; James 1:14, 15)looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29#Mark 9:43If your right eye causes you to sin, #(Col. 3:5)pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
Marriage Is Sacred and Binding
31“Furthermore it has been said, #Deut. 24:1; (Jer. 3:1); Mark 10:2‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32But I say to you that #(Matt. 19:9; Mark 10:11; Luke 16:18; Rom. 7:3); 1 Cor. 7:11whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.
Jesus Forbids Oaths
33“Again you have heard that #Matt. 23:16it was said to those of old, #(Ex. 20:7); Lev. 19:12; Num. 30:2‘You shall not swear falsely, but #Deut. 23:23shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34But I say to you, #Matt. 23:16; James 5:12do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is #Is. 66:1God’s throne; 35nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of #Ps. 48:2; (Matt. 5:2, 19; 6:10)the great King. 36Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37#(Col. 4:6); James 5:12But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
Go the Second Mile
38“You have heard that it was said, #Ex. 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39#(Prov. 20:22); Luke 6:29; (Rom. 12:17; 1 Cor. 6:7; 1 Pet. 3:9)But I tell you not to resist an evil person. #Is. 50:6; Lam. 3:30But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41And whoever #Matt. 27:32compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42Give to him who asks you, and #Deut. 15:7–11; Luke 6:30–34; 1 Tim. 6:18from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
Love Your Enemies
43“You have heard that it was said, #Lev. 19:18‘You shall love your neighbor #Deut. 23:3–6; Ps. 41:10and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, #Luke 6:27; Rom. 12:14love your enemies, bless those who curse you, #(Rom. 12:20)do good to those who hate you, and pray #Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60; 1 Cor. 4:12; 1 Pet. 2:23for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for #Job 25:3; Ps. 65:9–13; Luke 12:16, 17; Acts 14:17He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46#Luke 6:32For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48#Gen. 17:1; Lev. 11:44; 19:2; Luke 6:36; (Col. 1:28; 4:12); James 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:15Therefore you shall be perfect, just #Eph. 5:1as your Father in heaven is perfect.
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The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.