Oaths

33 “Again (A)you have heard that it was said to those of old, (B)‘You shall not swear falsely, but (C)shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, (D)Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for (E)it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is (F)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’; (G)anything more than this comes from evil.[a]

Retaliation

38 (H)“You have heard that it was said, (I)‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, (J)Do not resist the one who is evil. But (K)if anyone (L)slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And (M)if anyone would sue you and take your tunic,[b] let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone (N)forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 (O)Give to the one who begs from you, and (P)do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:37 Or the evil one
  2. Matthew 5:40 Greek chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin

Oaths

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath,(A) but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’(B) 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all:(C) either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;(D) 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.(E) 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’;(F) anything beyond this comes from the evil one.[a](G)

Eye for Eye

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[b](H) 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.(I) 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.(J)

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:37 Or from evil
  2. Matthew 5:38 Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21