Believers Are Salt and Light

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty?^[a] It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.^(A)

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.^{(B) 15} No one lights a lamp^(C) and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house.^{(D) 16} In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.^(E)

Christ Fulfills the Law

¹⁷ “Don’t think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.^{(F) 18} For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter^[b] or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all things are accomplished. ¹⁹ Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.^{(G) 20} For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.

Murder Begins in the Heart

²¹ “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder,^[c](H) and whoever murders will be subject to judgment.^{(I) 22} But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister^[d] will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults^[e] his brother or sister will be subject to the court.^[f] Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire.^{[g](J) 23} So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you 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 with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. ²⁵ Reach a settlement quickly with your adversary while you’re on the way with him to the court, or your adversary will hand you over to the judge, and the judge to^[h] the officer, and you will be thrown into prison.^{(K) 26} Truly I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny.^[i]

Adultery Begins in the Heart

²⁷ “You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery.^{[j](L) 28} But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.^{(M) 29} If your right eye causes you to sin,^(N) gouge it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.^{(O) 30} And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Divorce Practices Censured

³¹ “It was also said, Whoever divorces^(P) his wife must give her a written notice of divorce.^{[k](Q) 32} But I tell you, everyone who divorces his wife, except in a case of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.^(R)

Tell the Truth

³³ “Again, you have heard that it was said to our ancestors,You must not break your oath, but you must keep your oaths to the Lord.^{[l](S) 34} But I tell you, don’t take an oath at all: either by heaven, because it is God’s throne; ³⁵ or by the earth, because it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King.^{(T) 36} Do not swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. ³⁷ But let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’ Anything more than this is from the evil one.^(U)

Go the Second Mile

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.^{[m](V) 39} But I tell you, don’t resist^[n] an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.^{(W) 40} As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well. ⁴¹ And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.^(X)

Love Your Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor^[o](Y) and hate your enemy. ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies^[p] and pray for those who^[q] persecute you,^{(Z) 45} so that you may be^[r] children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.^{(AA) 46} For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what are you doing out of the ordinary?^[s](AB) Don’t even the Gentiles^[t] do the same? ⁴⁸ Be perfect,^(AC) therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Woe to the Self-Satisfied

Love Your Enemies

²⁷ “But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.^{(B) 29} If anyone hits you on the cheek,^(C) offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don’t hold back your shirt either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks you, and from someone who takes your things, don’t ask for them back. ³¹ Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them.^{(D) 32} If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.^{(E) 33} If you do what is good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you?^(F) Even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid in full. ³⁵ But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High.^(G) For he is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. ³⁶ Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.^(H)