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Make Promises Carefully

33 [L Again] You have heard that it was said to ·our people long ago [our ancestors; the ancients], ‘Don’t break your ·promises [vows; oaths], but ·keep [fulfill] the ·promises [vows; oaths] you make to the Lord [Lev. 19:12; Num. 30:2; Deut. 23:21].’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all. ·Don’t swear an oath using the name of heaven [L …neither by heaven], because heaven is God’s throne. 35 ·Don’t swear an oath using the name of the earth [L …nor by earth], because the earth ·belongs to God [L is his footstool; Is. 66:1]. ·Don’t swear an oath using the name of Jerusalem […nor by Jerusalem], because it is the city of the great King [Ps. 48:2]. 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 [L Let your word “yes” be “yes”; your “no” be “no”]. ·If you say more than yes or no, it [L Anything more than this] is from the Evil One.

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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.

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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