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Matthew 5:17-48
New International Version

The Fulfillment of the Law

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.(A) 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.(B) 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands(C) and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.(D)

Murder(E)

21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,[a](F) and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry(G) with a brother or sister[b][c] will be subject to judgment.(H) Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[d] is answerable to the court.(I) And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.(J)

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Adultery

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’[e](K) 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.(L) 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble,(M) 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 right hand causes you to stumble,(N) 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 go into hell.

Divorce

31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’[f](O) 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.(P)

Oaths

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath,(Q) but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’(R) 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all:(S) either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;(T) 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.(U) 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’;(V) anything beyond this comes from the evil one.[g](W)

Eye for Eye

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[h](X) 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.(Y) 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.(Z)

Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i](AA) and hate your enemy.’(AB) 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,(AC) 45 that you may be children(AD) of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.(AE) 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?(AF) Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.(AG)

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:21 Exodus 20:13
  2. Matthew 5:22 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a fellow disciple, whether man or woman; also in verse 23.
  3. Matthew 5:22 Some manuscripts brother or sister without cause
  4. Matthew 5:22 An Aramaic term of contempt
  5. Matthew 5:27 Exodus 20:14
  6. Matthew 5:31 Deut. 24:1
  7. Matthew 5:37 Or from evil
  8. Matthew 5:38 Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21
  9. Matthew 5:43 Lev. 19:18
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Matthew 5:17-48
New American Standard Bible

17 “Do not presume that I came to abolish the (A)Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, (B)until heaven and earth pass away, not [a]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 [b]others to do the same, shall be called least (C)in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever [c]keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 “For I say to you that unless your (D)righteousness far surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Personal Relationships

21 “(E)You have heard that [d]the ancients were told, ‘(F)You shall not murder,’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be answerable to (G)the court.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be answerable to (H)the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘[e]You good-for-nothing,’ shall be answerable to [f](I)the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the [g](J)fiery hell. 23 Therefore, if you are (K)presenting your [h]offering at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your [i]offering there before the altar and go; first be (L)reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your [j]offering. 25 (M)[k]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, (N)you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last [l]quadrans.

27 “(O)You have heard that it was said, ‘(P)You shall not commit adultery’; 28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman (Q)with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 Now (R)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, [m]than for your whole body to be thrown into [n](S)hell. 30 And (T)if your right hand is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; for it is better for you [o]to lose one of the parts of your body, [p]than for your whole body to go into [q](U)hell.

31 “Now it was said, ‘(V)Whoever sends his wife away is to give her a certificate of divorce’; 32 (W)but I say to you that everyone who [r]divorces his wife, except for the reason of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a [s]divorced woman commits adultery.

33 “Again, (X)you have heard that [t]the ancients were told, ‘[u](Y)You shall not [v]make false vows, but shall fulfill your [w]vows to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, (Z)take no oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is (AA)the throne of God, 35 nor by the earth, for it is the (AB)footstool of His feet, nor [x]by Jerusalem, for it is (AC)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, ‘[y]Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is [z]of (AD)evil origin.

38 “(AE)You have heard that it was said, ‘(AF)Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not show opposition against an evil person; but (AG)whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your [aa]tunic, let him have your [ab]cloak also. 41 Whoever [ac]forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 (AH)Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

43 “(AI)You have heard that it was said, ‘(AJ)You shall love your neighbor (AK)and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, (AL)love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may prove yourselves to be (AM)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 (AN)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 (AO)you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:18 Lit one iota (Heb yodh) or one projection (serif)
  2. Matthew 5:19 Lit people
  3. Matthew 5:19 Lit does
  4. Matthew 5:21 Lit it was said to the ancients
  5. Matthew 5:22 Or You empty-head; Gr Raka (Raca) from Aramaic reqa
  6. Matthew 5:22 Lit the Sanhedrin; i.e., Jewish High Court
  7. Matthew 5:22 Lit Gehenna of fire
  8. Matthew 5:23 Or gift
  9. Matthew 5:24 Or gift
  10. Matthew 5:24 Or gift
  11. Matthew 5:25 I.e., settle the case
  12. Matthew 5:26 A small Roman copper coin, worth about 1/64 of a laborer’s daily wage
  13. Matthew 5:29 Lit and that your whole body not be
  14. Matthew 5:29 Gr Gehenna
  15. Matthew 5:30 Lit that one...be lost
  16. Matthew 5:30 Lit and not your whole body
  17. Matthew 5:30 Gr Gehenna
  18. Matthew 5:32 Lit sends away, the Heb term for divorce
  19. Matthew 5:32 Lit woman sent away
  20. Matthew 5:33 Lit it was said to the ancients
  21. Matthew 5:33 you and your are singular here
  22. Matthew 5:33 Or break your vows
  23. Matthew 5:33 Lit oaths
  24. Matthew 5:35 Or toward
  25. Matthew 5:37 I.e., a clear “yes” or “no”
  26. Matthew 5:37 Or from the evil one
  27. Matthew 5:40 A long shirt worn next to the skin
  28. Matthew 5:40 Or outer garment
  29. Matthew 5:41 Lit will force
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Matthew 5:17-48
New King James Version

Christ Fulfills the Law

17 (A)“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, (B)till heaven and earth pass away, one [a]jot or one [b]tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 (C)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. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds (D)the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Murder Begins in the Heart(E)

21 “You have heard that it was said to those [c]of old, (F)‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that (G)whoever is angry with his brother [d]without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, (H)‘Raca!’[e] shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, [f]‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of [g]hell fire. 23 Therefore (I)if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 (J)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 (K)Agree with your adversary quickly, (L)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. 26 Assuredly, 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 [h]to those of old, (M)‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever (N)looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 (O)If your right eye causes you to [i]sin, (P)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. 30 And if your right hand causes you to [j]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(Q)

31 “Furthermore it has been said, (R)‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that (S)whoever divorces his wife for any reason except [k]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 (T)it was said to those of [l]old, (U)‘You shall not swear falsely, but (V)shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, (W)do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is (X)God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of (Y)the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 (Z)But let [m]your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

Go the Second Mile(AA)

38 “You have heard that it was said, (AB)‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 (AC)But I tell you not to resist an evil person. (AD)But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever (AE)compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and (AF)from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

Love Your Enemies(AG)

43 “You have heard that it was said, (AH)‘You shall love your neighbor (AI)and hate your enemy.’ 44 [n]But I say to you, (AJ)love your enemies, bless those who curse you, (AK)do good to those who hate you, and pray (AL)for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for (AM)He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 (AN)For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your [o]brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the [p]tax collectors do so? 48 (AO)Therefore you shall be perfect, just (AP)as your Father in heaven is perfect.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:18 Gr. iota, Heb. yod, the smallest letter
  2. Matthew 5:18 The smallest stroke in a Heb. letter
  3. Matthew 5:21 in ancient times
  4. Matthew 5:22 NU omits without a cause
  5. Matthew 5:22 Lit., in Aram., Empty head
  6. Matthew 5:22 Gr. More
  7. Matthew 5:22 Gr. Gehenna
  8. Matthew 5:27 NU, M omit to those of old
  9. Matthew 5:29 Lit. stumble or offend
  10. Matthew 5:30 Lit. stumble or offend
  11. Matthew 5:32 Or fornication
  12. Matthew 5:33 ancient times
  13. Matthew 5:37 Lit. your word be yes yes
  14. Matthew 5:44 NU But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
  15. Matthew 5:47 M friends
  16. Matthew 5:47 NU Gentiles
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Matthew 5:17-48
English Standard Version

Christ Came to Fulfill the Law

17 (A)“Do not think that I have come to abolish (B)the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but (C)to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, (D)until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 (E)Therefore whoever relaxes (F)one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least (G)in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great (H)in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds (I)that of the scribes and Pharisees, you (J)will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Anger

21 (K)“You have heard that it was said to those of old, (L)‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable (M)to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that (N)everyone who is angry with his brother[a] will be liable (O)to judgment; whoever insults[b] his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to (P)the hell[c] of fire. 23 (Q)So if (R)you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 (S)Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, (T)you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.[d]

Lust

27 (U)“You have heard that it was said, (V)‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that (W)everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 (X)If your right eye (Y)causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into (Z)hell. 30 (AA)And if your right hand (AB)causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into (AC)hell.

Divorce

31 (AD)“It was also said, (AE)‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 (AF)But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and (AG)whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths

33 “Again (AH)you have heard that it was said to those of old, (AI)‘You shall not swear falsely, but (AJ)shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, (AK)Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for (AL)it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is (AM)the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; (AN)anything more than this comes from evil.[e]

Retaliation

38 (AO)“You have heard that it was said, (AP)‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, (AQ)Do not resist the one who is evil. But (AR)if anyone (AS)slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And (AT)if anyone would sue you and take your tunic,[f] let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone (AU)forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 (AV)Give to the one who begs from you, and (AW)do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Love Your Enemies

43 (AX)“You have heard that it was said, (AY)‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, (AZ)Love your enemies and (BA)pray for those who persecute you, 45 (BB)so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and (BC)sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 (BD)For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers,[g] what more are you doing than others? Do not even (BE)the Gentiles do the same? 48 (BF)You therefore must be (BG)perfect, (BH)as your heavenly Father is perfect.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:22 Some manuscripts insert without cause
  2. Matthew 5:22 Greek says Raca to (a term of abuse)
  3. Matthew 5:22 Greek Gehenna; also verses 29, 30
  4. Matthew 5:26 Greek kodrantes, Roman copper coin (Latin quadrans) worth about 1/64 of a denarius (which was a day's wage for a laborer)
  5. Matthew 5:37 Or the evil one
  6. Matthew 5:40 Greek chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin
  7. Matthew 5:47 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters
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