Matthew 5
New Living Translation
The Sermon on the Mount
5 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,[a]
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,[b]
for they will be satisfied.
7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
Teaching about Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Teaching about the Law
17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!
Teaching about Anger
21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’[c] 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone,[d] you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot,[e] you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone,[f] you are in danger of the fires of hell.[g]
23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice[h] at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
25 “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.[i]
Teaching about Adultery
27 “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’[j] 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 So if your eye—even your good eye[k]—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your hand—even your stronger hand[l]—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Teaching about Divorce
31 “You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’[m] 32 But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.
Teaching about Vows
33 “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’[n] 34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. 35 And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. 37 Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.
Teaching about Revenge
38 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’[o] 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile,[p] carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.
Teaching about Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’[q] and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies![r] Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends,[s] how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Footnotes
- 5:3 Greek poor in spirit.
- 5:6 Or for righteousness.
- 5:21 Exod 20:13; Deut 5:17.
- 5:22a Some manuscripts add without cause.
- 5:22b Greek uses an Aramaic term of contempt: If you say to your brother, ‘Raca.’
- 5:22c Greek if you say, ‘You fool.’
- 5:22d Greek Gehenna; also in 5:29, 30.
- 5:23 Greek gift; also in 5:24.
- 5:26 Greek the last kodrantes [i.e., quadrans].
- 5:27 Exod 20:14; Deut 5:18.
- 5:29 Greek your right eye.
- 5:30 Greek your right hand.
- 5:31 Deut 24:1.
- 5:33 Num 30:2.
- 5:38 Greek the law that says: ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ Exod 21:24; Lev 24:20; Deut 19:21.
- 5:41 Greek milion [4,854 feet or 1,478 meters].
- 5:43 Lev 19:18.
- 5:44 Some manuscripts add Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you. Compare Luke 6:27-28.
- 5:47 Greek your brothers.
Matthew 5
New American Standard Bible
The Sermon on the Mount; The Beatitudes
5 (A)Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on (B)the [a]mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 And (C)He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
3 “[b](D)Blessed are the poor in spirit, for (E)theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are (F)those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 “Blessed are (G)the [c]gentle, for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are (H)those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are (I)the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are (J)the pure in heart, for (K)they will see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for (L)they will be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who have been (M)persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for (N)theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people (O)insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for (P)in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Disciples and the World
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but (Q)if the salt has become tasteless, how [d]can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people.
14 “You are (R)the light of the world. A city set on a [e]hill cannot be hidden; 15 (S)nor do people light a lamp and put it under a [f]basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may (T)see your good works, and (U)glorify your Father who is in heaven.
17 “Do not presume that I came to abolish the (V)Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, (W)until heaven and earth pass away, not [g]the smallest letter or stroke of a letter shall pass from the Law, until all is accomplished! 19 Therefore, whoever nullifies one of the least of these commandments, and teaches [h]others to do the same, shall be called least (X)in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever [i]keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 “For I say to you that unless your (Y)righteousness far surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Personal Relationships
21 “(Z)You have heard that [j]the ancients were told, ‘(AA)You shall not murder,’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be answerable to (AB)the court.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be answerable to (AC)the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘[k]You good-for-nothing,’ shall be answerable to [l](AD)the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the [m](AE)fiery hell. 23 Therefore, if you are (AF)presenting your [n]offering at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your [o]offering there before the altar and go; first be (AG)reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your [p]offering. 25 (AH)[q]Come to good terms with your accuser quickly, while you are with him on the way to court, so that your accuser will not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you will not be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I say to you, (AI)you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last [r]quadrans.
27 “(AJ)You have heard that it was said, ‘(AK)You shall not commit adultery’; 28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman (AL)with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 Now (AM)if your right eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, [s]than for your whole body to be thrown into [t](AN)hell. 30 And (AO)if your right hand is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; for it is better for you [u]to lose one of the parts of your body, [v]than for your whole body to go into [w](AP)hell.
31 “Now it was said, ‘(AQ)Whoever sends his wife away is to give her a certificate of divorce’; 32 (AR)but I say to you that everyone who [x]divorces his wife, except for the reason of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a [y]divorced woman commits adultery.
33 “Again, (AS)you have heard that [z]the ancients were told, ‘[aa](AT)You shall not [ab]make false vows, but shall fulfill your [ac]vows to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, (AU)take no oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is (AV)the throne of God, 35 nor by the earth, for it is the (AW)footstool of His feet, nor [ad]by Jerusalem, for it is (AX)the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you take an oath by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 But make sure your statement is, ‘[ae]Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is [af]of (AY)evil origin.
38 “(AZ)You have heard that it was said, ‘(BA)Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not show opposition against an evil person; but (BB)whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your [ag]tunic, let him have your [ah]cloak also. 41 Whoever [ai]forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 (BC)Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
43 “(BD)You have heard that it was said, ‘(BE)You shall love your neighbor (BF)and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, (BG)love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may prove yourselves to be (BH)sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For (BI)if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors, do they not do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Even the Gentiles, do they not do the same? 48 Therefore (BJ)you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Footnotes
- Matthew 5:1 Or hill
- Matthew 5:3 I.e., fortunate or prosperous, and so through v 11
- Matthew 5:5 Or humble, meek
- Matthew 5:13 Lit will
- Matthew 5:14 Or mountain
- Matthew 5:15 Lit peck-measure
- Matthew 5:18 Lit one iota (Heb yodh) or one projection (serif)
- Matthew 5:19 Lit people
- Matthew 5:19 Lit does
- Matthew 5:21 Lit it was said to the ancients
- Matthew 5:22 Or You empty-head; Gr Raka (Raca) from Aramaic reqa
- Matthew 5:22 Lit the Sanhedrin; i.e., Jewish High Court
- Matthew 5:22 Lit Gehenna of fire
- Matthew 5:23 Or gift
- Matthew 5:24 Or gift
- Matthew 5:24 Or gift
- Matthew 5:25 I.e., settle the case
- Matthew 5:26 A small Roman copper coin, worth about 1/64 of a laborer’s daily wage
- Matthew 5:29 Lit and that your whole body not be
- Matthew 5:29 Gr Gehenna
- Matthew 5:30 Lit that one...be lost
- Matthew 5:30 Lit and not your whole body
- Matthew 5:30 Gr Gehenna
- Matthew 5:32 Lit sends away, the Heb term for divorce
- Matthew 5:32 Lit woman sent away
- Matthew 5:33 Lit it was said to the ancients
- Matthew 5:33 you and your are singular here
- Matthew 5:33 Or break your vows
- Matthew 5:33 Lit oaths
- Matthew 5:35 Or toward
- Matthew 5:37 I.e., a clear “yes” or “no”
- Matthew 5:37 Or from the evil one
- Matthew 5:40 A long shirt worn next to the skin
- Matthew 5:40 Or outer garment
- Matthew 5:41 Lit will force
Matthew 5
Worldwide English (New Testament)
5 When Jesus saw the many people, he went up on a hill. He sat down and his disciples came to him.
2 He began to teach the people.
3 He said, `God makes happy those who know that they need him. The kingdom of heaven is for them.
4 `God makes happy those who are sad. They will have comfort.
5 `God makes happy those who quietly trust him and do not try to get their own way. The world will belong to them.
6 `God makes happy those who are hungry and thirsty for what is right and good. They will be filled.
7 `God makes happy those who are kind. He will be kind to them.
8 `God makes happy those who have clean hearts. They will see God.
9 `God makes happy those who make peace between people. They will be called God's sons.
10 `God makes happy those who have trouble for doing what is right. The kingdom of heaven is for them.
11 `God makes you happy when people say wrong things about you, when they trouble you, and when they say all kinds of lies about you. God makes you happy when it is for my sake.
12 Be happy and glad because God will be good to you in heaven. In the same way people troubled the prophets before your time.'
13 `You are like salt in the world. If salt has lost its taste, how can it be made salty again? Salt that has no taste is good for nothing. The only thing to do is to throw it out on the road.
14 `You are like light in the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 So also with a lamp. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket. But they put it on the place for a lamp. Then all the people in the house can see its light.
16 So, let your light shine to all people. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will praise your Father in heaven.'
17 `Do not think that I have come to take away the law and the writings of the prophets. No, I have not come to take them away. But I have come to do what they say must be done.
18 I tell you the truth. Until the sky and the earth are taken away, not one small part of the law will be taken away, until everything has been done.
19 So anyone who does not obey one of the smallest laws, and teaches other people not to obey it, will have the smallest part in the kingdom of heaven. But any one who obeys and teaches the law, will have a big part in the kingdom of heaven.
20 I tell you, you must do much better than the scribes and Pharisees. If you do not, then you will never go into the kingdom of heaven.'
21 `You have heard this said to men long ago, "Do not kill. Anyone who kills will be judged in court."
22 `But I tell you this. Anyone who is angry with his brother without having a good reason, will be judged in court. Anyone who says wrong things to his brother will be judged for it in the big court. Anyone who says "You fool!" will be judged to go into hell fire.
23 `Perhaps you are bringing your gift to God at his altar. There you remember that your brother has something against you.
24 If so, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go to your brother and make things right with him. Then come and give your gift to God.
25 `If someone wants to take you to court, make an agreement with him quickly on the way. If you do not, he will take you to the judge. The judge will give you to the guard, and the guard will put you in prison.
26 I tell you the truth, you will not get out of prison until you have paid every piece of money.'
27 `You have heard that the law says, "Do not commit adultery [have another man or woman who is not your husband or wife]."
28 But I tell you that if a man looks at a woman and he wants her, then he has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29 `If your right eye makes you do wrong, take it out and throw it away. It is better to lose a part of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
30 If your right hand makes you do wrong, cut it off and throw it away. It is better to lose a part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell fire.
31 `The law said, "Any man who does not want to keep his wife must give her a paper to tell others she is no longer his wife."
32 But I tell you, no man may send away his wife unless she has committed adultery. If he does send her away, he is making her commit adultery. And if a man marries a woman who has been sent away from her husband, he commits adultery.'
33 `Also you have heard this said to men long ago, "You must not make a promise in God's name and break it." And, "You must do for the Lord what you said you would do."
34 `But I tell you, do not make a promise in God's name. Do not use the name of heaven, because that is where God rules.
35 Do not use the name of earth, because that is where God rests his feet. Do not use the name of Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King.
36 Do not make a promise by your head, because you cannot make one hair of your head white or black.
37 You must mean "Yes" when you say "Yes". You must mean "No" when you say "No". To say anything more than that is wrong.'
38 `You have heard that the law says, "Take an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth."
39 But I tell you, do not fight with anyone who does wrong to you. But if someone hits you on one side of your face, turn the other side to him also.
40 `If anyone takes you to court to get your shirt, let him have your coat also.
41 If anyone wants you to help carry a load, go with him twice as far.
42 When someone asks you for something, give it to him. When someone wants to borrow something from you, let him have it.'
43 `You have heard that the law says, "Love your neighbour and hate your enemy."
44 But I tell you, love your enemies. Ask God to do good to those who trouble you.
45 In that way you will be sons of your Father in heaven. He makes his sun shine on both wrong and good people. He lets the rain fall on people who do right and on people who do wrong.
46 If you love only those who love you, what reward will you get? Even the tax collectors do that.
47 Do you speak to your brothers only? If so, you are not doing any better than other people. Even people who do not believe in God do that.
48 You must be good in every way, as your Father in heaven is good in every way.'
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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