Matthew 5:31-48
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Concerning Divorce
31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that every one who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity,[a] makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Concerning Oaths
33 “Again you have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.[b]
Concerning Retaliation
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; 40 and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; 41 and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you.
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 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 sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 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 salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 5.32 unchastity: The Greek word used here appears to refer to marriages that were not legally marriages because they were either within the forbidden degrees of consanguinity (Lev 18.6-16) or contracted with a Gentile. The phrase except on the ground of unchastity does not occur in the parallel passage in Lk 16.18. See also Mt 19.9 (Mk 10.11-12), and especially 1 Cor 7.10-11 which shows that the prohibition is unconditional.
- Matthew 5:37 Or the evil one
Matthew 5:31-48
New King James Version
Marriage Is Sacred and Binding(A)
31 “Furthermore it has been said, (B)‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that (C)whoever divorces his wife for any reason except [a]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 (D)it was said to those of [b]old, (E)‘You shall not swear falsely, but (F)shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, (G)do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is (H)God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of (I)the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 (J)But let [c]your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
Go the Second Mile(K)
38 “You have heard that it was said, (L)‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 (M)But I tell you not to resist an evil person. (N)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 (O)compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and (P)from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
Love Your Enemies(Q)
43 “You have heard that it was said, (R)‘You shall love your neighbor (S)and hate your enemy.’ 44 [d]But I say to you, (T)love your enemies, bless those who curse you, (U)do good to those who hate you, and pray (V)for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for (W)He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 (X)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 [e]brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the [f]tax collectors do so? 48 (Y)Therefore you shall be perfect, just (Z)as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 5:32 Or fornication
- Matthew 5:33 ancient times
- Matthew 5:37 Lit. your word be yes yes
- Matthew 5:44 NU But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
- Matthew 5:47 M friends
- Matthew 5:47 NU Gentiles
The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
