33 “Again, (A)you have heard that [a]the ancients were told, ‘[b](B)You shall not [c]make false vows, but shall fulfill your [d]vows to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, (C)take no oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is (D)the throne of God, 35 nor by the earth, for it is the (E)footstool of His feet, nor [e]by Jerusalem, for it is (F)the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you take an oath by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 But make sure your statement is, ‘[f]Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is [g]of (G)evil origin.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:33 Lit it was said to the ancients
  2. Matthew 5:33 you and your are singular here
  3. Matthew 5:33 Or break your vows
  4. Matthew 5:33 Lit oaths
  5. Matthew 5:35 Or toward
  6. Matthew 5:37 I.e., a clear “yes” or “no”
  7. Matthew 5:37 Or from the evil one

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.[a](A) 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.(B) 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.(C)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 5:33 Lv 19:12; Nm 30:2; Dt 23:21