New Testament in a Year
Adultery in the Heart
27 “You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery.(A)[a] 28 But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.(B) 29 If your right eye causes you to sin,(C) 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.(D) 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(E) his wife must give her a written notice of divorce.(F)[b] 32 But I tell you, everyone who divorces his wife, except in a case of sexual immorality,[c] causes her to commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.(G)
Tell the Truth
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to our ancestors,[d] You must not break your oath, but you must keep your oaths to the Lord.(H)[e] 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.(I) 36 Neither should you swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 But let your word ‘yes’ be ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no.’[f] Anything more than this is from the evil one.(J)
Go the Second Mile
38 “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.(K)[g] 39 But I tell you, don’t resist[h] an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.(L) 40 As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt,[i] let him have your coat[j] as well. 41 And if anyone forces[k] 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.(M)
Love Your Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor(N)[l] and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies[m] and pray for those who[n] persecute you,(O) 45 so that you may be[o] sons 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.(P) 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, what are you doing out of the ordinary?[p](Q) Don’t even the Gentiles[q] do the same? 48 Be perfect,(R) therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
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