八福

耶稣看见这些人群,就上了山,刚坐下,门徒便走到祂跟前, 祂就开口教导他们,说:

“心灵贫穷的人有福了,
因为天国是他们的。
哀痛的人有福了,
因为他们必得安慰。
谦和的人有福了,
因为他们必承受土地。
爱慕公义如饥似渴的人有福了,
因为他们必得饱足。
心存怜悯的人有福了,
因为他们必蒙上帝的怜悯。
心灵纯洁的人有福了,
因为他们必看见上帝。
使人和睦的人有福了,
因为他们必被称为上帝的儿女。
10 为义受迫害的人有福了,
因为天国是他们的。

11 “人们因为我的缘故侮辱、迫害、肆意毁谤你们,你们就有福了。 12 要欢喜快乐,因为你们在天上有很大的奖赏。他们也曾这样迫害以前的先知。

盐和光

13 “你们是世上的盐。如果盐失去咸味,怎能使它再变咸呢?它将毫无用处,只有被丢在外面任人践踏。 14 你们是世上的光,如同建在山上的城一样无法隐藏。 15 人点亮了灯,不会把它放在斗底下,而是放在灯台上,好照亮全家。 16 同样,你们的光也应当照在人面前,好让他们看见你们的好行为,便赞美你们天上的父。

成全律法

17 “不要以为我是来废除律法和先知书,我不是来废除,乃是来成全。 18 我实在告诉你们,就是到天地都消失了,律法的一点一划都不会废除,全都要成就。 19 所以,谁违背这些诫命中最小的一条,并教导别人违背,谁在天国将被称为最小的。但谁遵守这些诫命,并教导别人遵守,谁在天国将被称为大的。 20 我告诉你们,除非你们的义胜过律法教师和法利赛人的义,否则断不能进天国。

论仇恨

21 “你们听过吩咐古人的话,‘不可杀人,杀人的要受审判。’ 22 但我告诉你们,凡无缘无故[a]向弟兄发怒的,要受审判;凡骂弟兄是白痴的,要受公会[b]的审判;凡骂弟兄是笨蛋的,难逃地狱的火。

23 “所以,你在祭坛前献祭的时候,要是想起有弟兄和你有过节, 24 就该把祭物留在祭坛前,先去跟他和好,然后再来献祭。

25 “趁着你和告你的人还在去法庭的路上,你要赶紧与对方和解。不然,他会把你交给审判官,审判官会把你交给差役关进监牢。 26 我实在告诉你,要是有一分钱没有还清,你绝不能从那里出来。

论通奸

27 “你们听过这样的话,‘不可通奸。’ 28 但我告诉你们,凡看见妇女就动淫念的,他在心里已经犯了通奸罪。 29 如果你的右眼使你犯罪,就把它剜掉!宁可失去身体的一部分,也比整个人下地狱好。 30 如果你的右手使你犯罪,就把它砍掉!宁可失去身体的一部分,也比整个人下地狱好。

论休妻

31 “还有话说,‘人若休妻,必须给她休书’。 32 但我告诉你们,除非是妻子不贞,否则,休妻就是使妻子犯通奸罪,娶被休女子的人也犯了通奸罪。

论起誓

33 “你们也听过吩咐古人的话,‘不可违背誓言,总要向主遵守所起的誓。’ 34 但我告诉你们,不可起誓。不可指着天起誓,因为天是上帝的宝座。 35 不可指着地起誓,因为地是上帝的脚凳。不可指着圣城耶路撒冷起誓,因为那是大君王的城。 36 也不可指着自己的头起誓,因为你不能使一根头发变黑或变白。 37 你们说话,是就说是,不是就说不是,多说的便是来自那恶者[c]

论爱仇敌

38 “你们听过这样的话,‘以眼还眼,以牙还牙。’ 39 但我告诉你们,不要跟恶人作对。有人打你的右脸,连左脸也转过来让他打。 40 有人想控告你,要夺取你的内衣,连外衣也给他。 41 有人强迫你走一里路,你就跟他走二里路。 42 有求你的,就给他;有向你借的,不可拒绝他。

43 “你们听过这样的话,‘要爱邻居,恨仇敌。’ 44 但我告诉你们,要爱仇敌,为迫害你们的人祷告。 45 这样,你们才是天父的孩子。因为祂让阳光照好人也照坏人,降雨给义人也给恶人。 46 如果你们只爱那些爱你们的人,有什么值得嘉奖的呢?就是税吏也会这样做。 47 如果你们只问候自己的弟兄,有什么特别呢?就是外族人也会这样做。 48 所以,你们要纯全,正如你们的天父是纯全的。

Footnotes

  1. 5:22 有古卷无“无缘无故”。
  2. 5:22 公会”是当时犹太人的最高司法机构,处理宗教、道德和伦理等事务。
  3. 5:37 那恶者即魔鬼,又名撒旦。

The Beatitudes

When[a] he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain.[b] After he sat down his disciples came to him. Then[c] he began to teach[d] them by saying:

“Blessed[e] are the poor in spirit,[f] for the kingdom of heaven belongs[g] to them.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.[h]
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger[i] and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children[j] of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
11 “Blessed are you when people[k] insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely[l] on account of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.

Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt[m] of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor,[n] how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people! 14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 People[o] do not light a lamp and put it under a basket[p] but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

Fulfillment of the Law and Prophets

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish these things but to fulfill them.[q] 18 I[r] tell you the truth,[s] until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter[t] will pass from the law until everything takes place. 19 So anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others[u] to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever obeys them and teaches others to do so will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the experts in the law[v] and the Pharisees,[w] you will never enter the kingdom of heaven!

Anger and Murder

21 “You have heard that it was said to an older generation,[x]Do not murder,’[y] and ‘whoever murders will be subjected to judgment.’[z] 22 But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother[aa] will be subjected to judgment. And whoever insults[ab] a brother will be brought before[ac] the council,[ad] and whoever says ‘Fool’[ae] will be sent[af] to fiery hell.[ag] 23 So then, if you bring your gift to the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother and then come and present your gift. 25 Reach agreement[ah] quickly with your accuser while on the way to court,[ai] or he[aj] may hand you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the warden, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 I tell you the truth,[ak] you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny![al]

Adultery

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’[am] 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell.[an] 30 If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into hell.

Divorce

31 “It was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a legal document.’[ao] 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for immorality,[ap] makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to an older generation,[aq]Do not break an oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’[ar] 34 But I say to you, do not take oaths at all—not by heaven, because it is the throne of God, 35 not by earth, because it is his footstool, and not by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King.[as] 36 Do not take an oath by your head, because you are not able to make one hair white or black. 37 Let your word be ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no.’ More than this is from the evil one.[at]

Retaliation

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’[au] 39 But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer.[av] But whoever strikes you on the[aw] right cheek, turn the other to him as well. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic,[ax] let him have your coat also. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile,[ay] go with him two. 42 Give to the one who asks you,[az] and do not reject[ba] the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[bb] and ‘hate your enemy.’[bc] 44 But I say to you, love your enemy and[bd] pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be like[be] your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors[bf] do the same, don’t they? 47 And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they? 48 So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.[bg]

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:1 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  2. Matthew 5:1 tn Or “up a mountain” (εἰς τὸ ὄρος, eis to oros).sn The expression up the mountain here may be idiomatic or generic, much like the English “he went to the hospital” (cf. 15:29), or even intentionally reminiscent of Exod 24:12 (LXX), since the genre of the Sermon on the Mount seems to be that of a new Moses giving a new law.
  3. Matthew 5:2 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
  4. Matthew 5:2 tn Grk “And opening his mouth he taught them, saying.” The imperfect verb ἐδίδασκεν (edidasken) has been translated ingressively.
  5. Matthew 5:3 sn The term Blessed introduces the first of several beatitudes promising blessing to those whom God cares for. They serve as an invitation to come into the grace God offers.
  6. Matthew 5:3 sn The poor in spirit is a reference to the “pious poor” for whom God especially cares. See Pss 14:6; 22:24; 25:16; 34:6; 40:17; 69:29.
  7. Matthew 5:3 sn The present tense (belongs) here is significant. Jesus makes the kingdom and its blessings currently available. This phrase is unlike the others in the list with the possessive pronoun being emphasized.
  8. Matthew 5:4 sn The promise they will be comforted is the first of several “reversals” noted in these promises. The beatitudes and the reversals that accompany them serve in the sermon as an invitation to enter into God’s care, because one can know God cares for those who turn to him.
  9. Matthew 5:6 sn Those who hunger are people like the poor Jesus has already mentioned. The term has OT roots both in conjunction with the poor (Isa 32:6-7; 58:6-7, 9-10; Ezek 18:7, 16) or by itself (Pss 37:16-19; 107:9).
  10. Matthew 5:9 tn Grk “sons,” though traditionally English versions have taken this as a generic reference to both males and females, hence “children” (cf. KJV, NAB, NRSV, NLT).
  11. Matthew 5:11 tn Grk “when they insult you.” The third person pronoun (here implied in the verb ὀνειδίσωσιν [oneidisōsin]) has no specific referent, but refers to people in general.
  12. Matthew 5:11 tc Although ψευδόμενοι (pseudomenoi, “bearing witness falsely”) could be a motivated reading, clarifying that the disciples are unjustly persecuted, its lack in only D it sys Tert does not help its case. Since the Western text is known for numerous free alterations, without corroborative evidence the shorter reading must be judged as secondary.
  13. Matthew 5:13 sn Salt was used as seasoning or fertilizer (BDAG 41 s.v. ἅλας a), or as a preservative. If salt ceased to be useful, it was thrown away. With this illustration Jesus warned about a disciple who ceased to follow him.
  14. Matthew 5:13 sn The difficulty of this saying is understanding how salt could lose its flavor since its chemical properties cannot change. It is thus often assumed that Jesus was referring to chemically impure salt, perhaps a natural salt which, when exposed to the elements, had all the genuine salt leached out, leaving only the sediment or impurities behind. Others have suggested that the background of the saying is the use of salt blocks by Arab bakers to line the floor of their ovens; under the intense heat these blocks would eventually crystallize and undergo a change in chemical composition, finally being thrown out as unserviceable. A saying in the Talmud (b. Bekhorot 8b) attributed to R. Joshua ben Chananja (ca. a.d. 90), recounts how when he was asked the question “When salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again?” is said to have replied, “By salting it with the afterbirth of a mule.” He was then asked, “Then does the mule (being sterile) bear young?” to which he replied: “Can salt lose its flavor?” The point appears to be that both are impossible. The saying, while admittedly late, suggests that culturally the loss of flavor by salt was regarded as an impossibility. Genuine salt can never lose its flavor. In this case the saying by Jesus here may be similar to Matt 19:24, where it is likewise impossible for the camel to go through the eye of a sewing needle.
  15. Matthew 5:15 tn Grk “Nor do they light.” The plural in Greek is indefinite, referring to people in general.
  16. Matthew 5:15 tn Or “a bowl”; the Greek word refers to any container for dry material of about eight liters (two gallons) capacity. It could be translated “basket, box, bowl” (L&N 6.151).
  17. Matthew 5:17 tn Grk “not come to abolish but to fulfill.” Direct objects (“these things,” “them”) were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but have been supplied here to conform to contemporary English style.
  18. Matthew 5:18 tn Grk “For I tell.” Here an explanatory γάρ (gar) has not been translated.
  19. Matthew 5:18 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amēn), I say to you.”
  20. Matthew 5:18 tn Grk “Not one iota or one serif.” sn The smallest letter refers to the smallest Hebrew letter (yod) and the stroke of a letter to a serif (a hook or projection on a Hebrew letter).
  21. Matthew 5:19 tn Grk “teaches men” ( in a generic sense, people).
  22. Matthew 5:20 tn Or “that of the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.
  23. Matthew 5:20 sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.
  24. Matthew 5:21 tn Grk “to the ancient ones.” sn The expression an older generation can be understood to refer to the Israelites at the time of the Exodus, the original audience for the ten commandments.
  25. Matthew 5:21 sn A quotation from Exod 20:13; Deut 5:17.
  26. Matthew 5:21 sn These additional words are not part of the commandment and are not directly quoted from the OT (and thus are not placed in bold italics), but they form an adequate summary of several OT passages dealing with legislation concerning murder (Exod 21:12; Lev 24:17; Num 35:12; Deut 17:8-13).
  27. Matthew 5:22 tc The majority of mss read the word εἰκῇ (eikē, “without cause”) here after “brother.” This insertion has support from א2 D L W Γ Δ Θ 0233 ƒ1, 13 33 565 579 700 1241 1424 M it sy co Irlat Ormss Cyp Cyr. Thus the Western and Byzantine groups, as well as several other witnesses, all include the word, while the best Alexandrian and some other witnesses (P64 א* B aur vg Or Hiermss) lack it. The ms evidence favors its exclusion, though there is a remote possibility that εἰκῇ could have been accidentally omitted from these witnesses by way of homoioarcton (the next word, ἔνοχος [enochos, “guilty”], begins with the same letter). An intentional change would likely arise from the desire to qualify “angry,” especially in light of the absolute tone of Jesus’ words. While “without cause” makes good practical sense in this context, and must surely be a true interpretation of Jesus’ meaning (cf. Mark 3:5), it does not commend itself as the original wording.
  28. Matthew 5:22 tn Grk “whoever says to his brother ‘Raca,’” an Aramaic word of contempt or abuse meaning “fool” or “empty head.”
  29. Matthew 5:22 tn Grk “subjected,” “guilty,” “liable.”
  30. Matthew 5:22 tn Grk “the Sanhedrin.” sn The council refers to the Sanhedrin, the ruling council in Jerusalem that was the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews.
  31. Matthew 5:22 tn The meaning of the term μωρός (mōros) is somewhat disputed. Most take it to mean, following the Syriac versions, “you fool,” although some have argued that it represents a transliteration into Greek of the Hebrew term מוֹרֵה (moreh) “rebel” (Deut 21:18, 20; cf. BDAG 663 s.v. μωρός c).
  32. Matthew 5:22 tn Grk “subjected,” “guilty,” “liable.”
  33. Matthew 5:22 tn Grk “the Gehenna of fire.”sn The word translated hell is “Gehenna” (γέεννα, geenna), a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew words ge hinnom (“Valley of Hinnom”). This was the valley along the south side of Jerusalem. In OT times it was used for human sacrifices to the pagan god Molech (cf. Jer 7:31; 19:5-6; 32:35), and it came to be used as a place where human excrement and rubbish were disposed of and burned. In the intertestamental period, it came to be used symbolically as the place of divine punishment (cf. 1 En. 27:2; 90:26; 4 Ezra 7:36).
  34. Matthew 5:25 tn Grk “Make friends.”
  35. Matthew 5:25 tn The words “to court” are not in the Greek text but are implied.
  36. Matthew 5:25 tn Grk “the accuser.”
  37. Matthew 5:26 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amēn), I say to you.”
  38. Matthew 5:26 tn Here the English word “penny” is used as opposed to the parallel in Luke 12:59 where “cent” appears since the Greek word there is different and refers to a different but similar coin.sn The penny here was a quadrans, a Roman copper coin worth 1/64 of a denarius (L&N 6.78). The parallel passage in Luke 12:59 mentions the lepton, equal to one-half of a quadrans and thus the smallest coin available.
  39. Matthew 5:27 sn A quotation from Exod 20:14; Deut 5:18 (5:17 LXX).
  40. Matthew 5:29 sn On this word here and in the following verse, see the note on the word hell in 5:22.
  41. Matthew 5:31 tn Or “a written notice of divorce.”sn A quotation from Deut 24:1.
  42. Matthew 5:32 sn The phrase except for immorality (often referred to as the “exception clause”) has been the subject of much debate. One of the best and most comprehensive recent studies which pays particular attention to historical background material, especially Jewish material, is that of D. Instone-Brewer, Divorce and Remarriage in the Bible: The Social and Literary Context (Eerdmans, 2002).
  43. Matthew 5:33 tn Grk “the ancient ones.”
  44. Matthew 5:33 sn A quotation from Lev 19:12.
  45. Matthew 5:35 sn The final clause is an allusion to Ps 48:2. In light of Ps 48:1-2 most understand the great King as a reference to God in this context (thus the capitalization).
  46. Matthew 5:37 tn The term πονηροῦ (ponērou) may be understood as specific and personified, referring to the devil, or possibly as a general reference to evil. It is most likely personified, however, since it is articular and how it fits into the surrounding context (τοῦ πονηροῦ, tou ponērou). Cf. also “the evildoer” in v. 39, which is the same construction.
  47. Matthew 5:38 sn A quotation from Exod 21:24; Lev 24:20.
  48. Matthew 5:39 tn The articular πονηρός (ponēros, “the evildoer”) cannot be translated simply as “evil” for then the command would be “do not resist evil.” Every instance of this construction in Matthew is most likely personified, referring either to an evildoer (13:49) or, more often, “the evil one” (as in 5:37; 6:13; 13:19, 38).
  49. Matthew 5:39 tc ‡ Many mss (B D K L Δ Θ ƒ13 565 579 700 1424 pm; SBL) have σου (sou) here (“your right cheek”), but many others lack the pronoun (א W ƒ1 33 892 1241 pm). The pronoun was probably added by way of clarification, as is evident by the fact that it floats in the verse: it is found both before and after “cheek.” NA28 has σου in brackets, indicating doubt as to its authenticity.
  50. Matthew 5:40 tn Or “shirt” (a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin). The name for this garment (χιτών, chitōn) presents some difficulty in translation. Most modern readers would not understand what a “tunic” was any more than they would be familiar with a “chiton.” On the other hand, attempts to find a modern equivalent are also a problem: “Shirt” conveys the idea of a much shorter garment that covers only the upper body, and “undergarment” (given the styles of modern underwear) is more misleading still. “Tunic” was therefore employed, but with a note to explain its nature.
  51. Matthew 5:41 sn If anyone forces you to go one mile. In NT times Roman soldiers had the authority to press civilians into service to carry loads for them. The Greek verb is a semi-technical term and its only other NT uses are in Matt 27:32 and Mark 15:21, both of which refer to Simon of Cyrene being forced to carry Jesus’ cross.
  52. Matthew 5:42 sn Jesus advocates a generosity and a desire to meet those in dire need with the command give to the one who asks you. This may allude to begging; giving alms was viewed highly in the ancient world (Matt 6:1-4; Deut 15:7-11).
  53. Matthew 5:42 tn Grk “do not turn away from.”
  54. Matthew 5:43 sn A quotation from Lev 19:18.
  55. Matthew 5:43 sn The phrase hate your enemy does not occur explicitly in the OT, but was commonly inferred from passages like Deut 7:2; 30:7; Ps 26:5; Ps 139:21-22. Jesus’ hearers (and Matthew’s readers) would not have been surprised by the statement. It is the antithesis Jesus gives in the following verses that would have shocked them.
  56. Matthew 5:44 tc Most mss (D L W Δ Θ ƒ13 33 565 579 700 1241 1424 M lat sy(p),h) read “bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you,” before “those who persecute you.” But this is surely a motivated reading, importing the longer form of this aphorism from Luke 6:27-28. The shorter text is found in א B ƒ1 sys,c sa bopt mae, as well as several fathers.
  57. Matthew 5:45 tn Grk “be sons of your Father in heaven.” Here, however, the focus is not on attaining a relationship (becoming a child of God) but rather on being the kind of person who shares the characteristics of God himself (a frequent meaning of the Semitic idiom “son of”). See L&N 58.26.
  58. Matthew 5:46 sn The Roman system of taxation was frequently characterized by “tax farming” where an individual would bid to collect taxes for the Roman government throughout an entire district and then add a surcharge or commission (often exorbitant) which they kept for themselves as their profit. The tax collectors referred to in the NT were generally not the holders of these tax contracts themselves, but hired subordinates who were often local residents. Since these tax collectors worked for Rome (even indirectly), they were viewed as traitors to their own people and were not well liked. In addition, the system offered many opportunities for dishonesty and greed, both of which were often associated with local tax collectors.
  59. Matthew 5:48 sn This remark echoes OT statements in Lev 11:44-45 and Lev 19:2: “you must be holy as I am holy.”

The Beatitudes

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the hillside, and sat down. His disciples came to him. He took a deep breath, and began his teaching:

“Blessings on the poor in spirit! The kingdom of heaven is yours.

“Blessings on the mourners! You’re going to be comforted.

“Blessings on the meek! You’re going to inherit the earth.

“Blessings on people who hunger and thirst for God’s justice! You’re going to be satisfied.

“Blessings on the merciful! You’ll receive mercy yourselves.

“Blessings on the pure in heart! You will see God.

“Blessings on the peacemakers! You’ll be called God’s children.

10 “Blessings on people who are persecuted because of God’s saving plan! The kingdom of heaven belongs to you.

11 “Blessings on you, when people slander you and persecute you, and say all kinds of wicked things about you falsely because of me! 12 Celebrate and rejoice: there’s a great reward for you in heaven. That’s how they persecuted the prophets who went before you.”

Fulfilling the law

13 “You’re the salt of the earth! But if the salt becomes tasteless, how is it going to get salty again? It’s no good for anything. You might as well throw it out and walk all over it.

14 “You’re the light of the world! A city can’t be hidden if it’s on top of a hill. 15 People don’t light a lamp and put it under a bucket; they put it on a lampstand. Then it gives light to everybody in the house. 16 That’s how you must shine your light in front of people! Then they will see what wonderful things you do, and they’ll give glory to your father in heaven.

17 “Don’t suppose that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy them; I came to fulfill them! 18 I’m telling you the truth: until heaven and earth disappear, not one stroke, not one dot, is going to disappear from the law, until it’s all come true. 19 So anyone who relaxes a single one of these commandments, even the little ones, and teaches that to people, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But anyone who does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 “Yes, let me tell you: unless your covenant behavior is far superior to that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get in to the kingdom of heaven.”

On murder and reconciliation

21 “You heard that it was said to the ancient people, ‘You shall not murder’; and anyone who commits murder shall be liable to judgment. 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; anyone who uses foul and abusive language will be liable to the lawcourt; and anyone who says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to the fires of Gehenna.

23 “So, if you are coming to the altar with your gift, and there you remember that your brother has a grievance against you, 24 leave your gift right there in front of the altar, and go first and be reconciled to your brother. Then come back and offer your gift. 25 Make friends with your opponent quickly, while you are with him in the street, in case your opponent hands you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you find yourself being thrown into jail. 26 I’m telling you the truth: you won’t get out until you’ve paid every last copper coin.”

On adultery and oaths

27 “You heard,” Jesus continued, “that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you: everyone who gazes at a woman in order to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye trips you up, tear it out and throw it away. Yes: it’s better for you to have one part of your body destroyed than for your whole body to be thrown into Gehenna. 30 And if your right hand trips you up, cut it off and throw it away. Yes: it’s better for you to have one part of your body destroyed than for your whole body to go into Gehenna.

31 “It was also said, ‘If someone divorces his wife, he should give her a legal document to prove it.’ 32 But I say to you: everyone who divorces his wife, unless it’s in connection with immorality, makes her commit adultery; and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

33 “Again, you heard that it was said to the people long ago: ‘You shall not swear falsely, but you shall give to the Lord what you promised under oath.’ 34 But I say to you: don’t swear at all! Don’t swear by heaven (it’s God’s throne!); 35 don’t swear by the earth (it’s God’s footstool!); don’t swear by Jerusalem (it’s the city of the great king!); 36 don’t swear by your head (you can’t make one hair of it turn white or black!). 37 When you’re talking, say ‘Yes’ when you mean Yes, and ‘No’ when you mean No. Anything more than that comes from the evil one.”

Loving your enemies

38 “You heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you: don’t use violence to resist evil! Instead, when someone hits you on the right cheek, turn the other one towards him. 40 When someone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your cloak, too. 41 And when someone forces you to go one mile, go a second one with him. 42 Give to anyone who asks you, and don’t refuse someone who wants to borrow from you.

43 “You heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you: love your enemies! Pray for people who persecute you! 45 That way, you’ll be children of your father in heaven! After all, he makes his sun rise on bad and good alike, and sends rain both on the upright and on the unjust. 46 Look at it like this: if you love those who love you, do you expect a special reward? Even tax-collectors do that, don’t they? 47 And if you only greet your own family, what’s so special about that? Even Gentiles do that, don’t they? 48 Well then: you must be perfect, just as your heavenly father is perfect.”

Sermón del monte (5—7)

La auténtica felicidad (Lc 6,20-23)

Cuando Jesús vio todo aquel gentío, subió al monte y se sentó. Se le acercaron sus discípulos, y él se puso a enseñarles, diciendo:

— Felices los de espíritu sencillo, porque suyo es el reino de los cielos.

Felices los que están tristes, porque Dios mismo los consolará.

Felices los humildes, porque Dios les dará en herencia la tierra.

Felices los que desean de todo corazón que se cumpla la voluntad de Dios, porque Dios atenderá su deseo.

Felices los misericordiosos, porque Dios tendrá misericordia de ellos.

Felices los que tienen limpia la conciencia, porque ellos verán a Dios.

Felices los que trabajan en favor de la paz, porque Dios los llamará hijos suyos.

10 Felices los que sufren persecución por cumplir la voluntad de Dios, porque suyo es el reino de los cielos.

11 Felices vosotros cuando os insulten y os persigan, y cuando digan falsamente de vosotros toda clase de infamias por ser mis discípulos.

12 ¡Alegraos y estad contentos, porque en el cielo tenéis una gran recompensa! ¡Así también fueron perseguidos los profetas que vivieron antes que vosotros!

Sal y luz del mundo (Mc 4,21; 9,50; Lc 8,16; 11,33; 14,34-35)

13 Vosotros sois la sal de este mundo. Pero si la sal pierde su sabor, ¿cómo seguirá salando? Ya no sirve más que para arrojarla fuera y que la gente la pisotee.

14 Vosotros sois la luz del mundo. Una ciudad situada en lo alto de una montaña no puede ocultarse. 15 Tampoco se enciende una lámpara de aceite y se tapa con una vasija. Al contrario, se pone en el candelero, de manera que alumbre a todos los que están en la casa. 16 Pues así debe alumbrar vuestra luz delante de los demás, para que viendo el bien que hacéis alaben a vuestro Padre celestial.

Actitud ante la ley de Moisés

17 No penséis que yo he venido a anular la ley de Moisés o las enseñanzas de los profetas. No he venido a anularlas, sino a darles su verdadero significado. 18 Y os aseguro que, mientras existan el cielo y la tierra, la ley no perderá ni un punto ni una coma de su valor. Todo se cumplirá cabalmente. 19 Por eso, aquel que quebrante una de las disposiciones de la ley, aunque sea la menos importante, y enseñe a hacer lo mismo, será considerado el más pequeño en el reino de los cielos. En cambio, el que las cumpla y enseñe a otros a cumplirlas, ese será considerado grande en el reino de los cielos. 20 Y os digo esto: Si vosotros no cumplís la voluntad de Dios mejor que los maestros de la ley y que los fariseos, no entraréis en el reino de los cielos.

Sobre la ofensa y la reconciliación (Lc 12,57-59)

21 Ya sabéis que se dijo a los antepasados: No mates; el que mate, será llevado a juicio. 22 Pero yo os digo: El que se enemiste con su hermano, será llevado a juicio; el que lo insulte será llevado ante el Consejo Supremo, y el que lo injurie gravemente se hará merecedor del fuego de la gehena.

23 Por tanto, si en el momento de ir a presentar tu ofrenda en el altar, te acuerdas de que tu hermano tiene algo en contra de ti, 24 deja tu ofrenda allí mismo delante del altar y ve primero a reconciliarte con tu hermano. Luego regresa y presenta tu ofrenda.

25 Ponte de acuerdo con tu adversario sin demora mientras estás a tiempo de hacerlo, no sea que tu adversario te entregue al juez, y el juez a los guardias, y vayas a dar con tus huesos en la cárcel. 26 Te aseguro que no saldrás de allí hasta que pagues el último céntimo de tu deuda.

Sobre el adulterio y las ocasiones de pecado (Mc 9,43.47)

27 Sabéis que se dijo: No cometas adulterio. 28 Pero yo os digo: El que mira con malos deseos a la mujer de otro, ya está adulterando con ella en el fondo de su corazón.

29 Así que, si tu ojo derecho es para ti ocasión de pecado, sácatelo y arrójalo lejos de ti. Más te vale perder una parte del cuerpo que ser arrojado entero a la gehena. 30 Y si tu mano derecha es para ti ocasión de pecado, córtatela y arrójala lejos de ti. Más te vale perder una parte del cuerpo que ser arrojado entero a la gehena.

Sobre el divorcio (Mc 10,4.11-12; Lc 16,18)

31 También se dijo: El que se separe de su mujer, debe darle un acta de divorcio. 32 Pero yo os digo que todo aquel que se separa de su mujer (salvo en caso de inmoralidad sexual), la pone en peligro de cometer adulterio. Y el que se casa con una mujer separada también comete adulterio.

Sobre el juramento

33 Igualmente sabéis que se dijo a nuestros antepasados: No jures en falso, sino cumple lo que prometiste al Señor con juramento. 34 Pero yo os digo: No jures en manera alguna. No jures por el cielo, porque es el trono de Dios; 35 ni por la tierra, porque es el estrado de sus pies; ni por Jerusalén, porque es la ciudad del gran Rey. 36 Ni siquiera jures por tu propia cabeza, porque no está en tu mano hacer blanco o negro ni uno solo de tus cabellos. 37 Decid simplemente: “sí” o “no”; todo lo que se diga de más, procede del maligno.

Sobre la venganza (Lc 6,28-29)

38 Sabéis que se dijo: Ojo por ojo y diente por diente. 39 Pero yo os digo: No recurráis a la violencia contra el que os haga daño. Al contrario, si alguno te abofetea en una mejilla, preséntale también la otra. 40 Y al que quiera pleitear contigo para quitarte la túnica, cédele el manto. 41 Y si alguno te fuerza a llevar una carga a lo largo de una milla, llévasela durante dos. 42 A quien te pida algo, dáselo; y a quien te ruegue que le hagas un préstamo, no le vuelvas la espalda.

El amor a los enemigos (Lc 6,27-28.32-36)

43 Sabéis que se dijo: Ama a tu prójimo y odia a tu enemigo. 44 Pero yo os digo: Amad a vuestros enemigos y orad por los que os persiguen. 45 Así seréis verdaderamente hijos de vuestro Padre que está en los cielos, pues él hace que el sol salga sobre malos y buenos y envía la lluvia sobre justos e injustos. 46 Porque si solamente amáis a los que os aman, ¿qué recompensa podéis esperar? ¡Eso lo hacen también los recaudadores de impuestos! 47 Y si saludáis únicamente a los que os tratan bien, ¿qué hacéis de extraordinario? ¡Eso lo hacen también los paganos! 48 Vosotros tenéis que ser perfectos, como es perfecto vuestro Padre celestial.