⁴¹ And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” ⁴² So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.^(A)

⁴³ “Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked.

“There is nothing there,” he said.

Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”

⁴⁴ The seventh time^(B) the servant reported, “A cloud^(C) as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.”

So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’”

⁴⁵ Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain^(D) started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel.^{(E) 46} The power^(F) of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt,^(G) he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

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.^(A)

Murder^(B)

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

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.