THE BOOK OF MATTHEW

 

Matthew Chapter 5

1 ¶ And when he saw the multitudes, he went up on a mountain: and after he was seated, his disciples came to him:

2 And he taught them, saying,

3 ¶ Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn: for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they will be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they will obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they will be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

11 Blessed are you, when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all sort of evil things against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be very glad: because your reward in heaven is great: for that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

13 ¶ You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost its flavor, how can it be made salty? it is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out, and trampled under foot by men.

14 You are the light of the world. A city that is on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Nor do they light a lamp, and put it under a basket, instead they put it on a stand; and it gives light to everyone in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

17 ¶ Do not think that I have come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I have not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For I tell you truly, Until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter or stroke will pass from the law, until everything has been fulfilled.

19 Therefore whoever breaks one of the least of the commandments, and teaches others to do so, will be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whoever will do and teach them, will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I tell you, That unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.

21 ¶ You have heard that it was said to those long ago, You shall not murder; and whoever commits murder will face judgment:

22 But I am telling you, That whoever is angry with his brother without a cause will face judgment: whoever says to his brother, You idiot, will be called to account: and whoever says, You fool, will face the fire of hell.

23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you;

24 Leave your gift in front of the altar; first go and be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way to court with him; lest he hand you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.

26 I tell you truly, You will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

27 ¶ You have heard that it was said to those long ago, You shall not commit adultery:

28 But I am telling you, That whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out, and throw it away: for it is better for you that one part of your body should die, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off, and throw it away: for it is better for you that one part of your body should die, than for your entire body to be thrown into hell.

31 It has been said, Anyone who divorces his wife, must give her a certificate of divorcement:

32 But I am telling you, That anyone who divorces his wife, for any reason other than immorality, causes her to commit adultery: and anyone who marries a woman so divorced commits adultery.

33 ¶ Again, you have heard that it was said to those long ago, You shall not swear falsely, but shall keep your oaths to the Lord:

34 But I am telling you, Do not swear at all; not by heaven; for it is God’s throne:

35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: nor by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.

37 But let your yes be yes, and your no be no: for anything more than that comes from the evil one.

38 ¶ You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

39 But I am telling you, Do not resist evil: if someone hits you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40 And if someone wants to sue you in court, and take away your coat, let him have your shirt also.

41 And if someone forces you to go one mile with him, go two.

42 Give to him who asks you, and do not turn away from someone who wants to borrow from you.

43 ¶ You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.

44 But I am telling you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven: for he causes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.

46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? are not even the publicans doing that?

47 And if you are only friendly to your brethren, what are you doing more than others? do not even the pagans do that?

48 Therefore be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

[Note: Verse 48 Because the law requires perfection, there is none righteous, no not one, and we can only be made righteous in the sight of God through faith in Christ, and His death on our behalf (Romans 3:10-28, Hebrews 10: 10, 14, 1Corinthians 15:1-3).]