Matthew 5:27-48

New Century Version

Jesus Teaches About Sexual Sin

²⁷ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You must not be guilty of adultery.’^{[a] 28} But I tell you that if anyone looks at a woman and wants to sin sexually with her, in his mind he has already done that sin with the woman. ²⁹ If your right eye causes you to sin, take it out and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell. ³⁰ If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Jesus Teaches About Divorce

³¹ “It was also said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a written divorce paper.’^{[b] 32} But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife forces her to be guilty of adultery. The only reason for a man to divorce his wife is if she has sexual relations with another man. And anyone who marries that divorced woman is guilty of adultery.

Make Promises Carefully

³³ “You have heard that it was said to our people long ago, ‘Don’t break your promises, but keep the promises you make to the Lord.’^{[c] 34} But I tell you, never swear an oath. Don’t swear an oath using the name of heaven, because heaven is God’s throne. ³⁵ Don’t swear an oath using the name of the earth, because the earth belongs to God. Don’t swear an oath using the name of Jerusalem, because that is the city of the great King. ³⁶ Don’t even swear by your own head, because you cannot make one hair on your head become white or black. ³⁷ Say only yes if you mean yes, and no if you mean no. If you say more than yes or no, it is from the Evil One.

Don’t Fight Back

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’^{[d] 39} But I tell you, don’t stand up against an evil person. If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other cheek also. ⁴⁰ If someone wants to sue you in court and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. ⁴¹ If someone forces you to go with him one mile, go with him two miles. ⁴² If a person asks you for something, give it to him. Don’t refuse to give to someone who wants to borrow from you.

Love All People

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[e] and hate your enemies.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you.^{[f] 45} If you do this, you will be true children of your Father in heaven. He causes the sun to rise on good people and on evil people, and he sends rain to those who do right and to those who do wrong. ⁴⁶ If you love only the people who love you, you will get no reward. Even the tax collectors do that. ⁴⁷ And if you are nice only to your friends, you are no better than other people. Even those who don’t know God are nice to their friends. ⁴⁸ So you must be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.