Jesus Teaches on the Mountain
5 1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and began to teach them, saying: a a v2 Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus draws his followers into the same closeness with the Father that he himself knows, speaking again and again of "your Father in heaven."
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of our Father. 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 for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see our Father. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of our Father. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of our Father.
11 Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
You Are Salt and Light
13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its taste, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people.
14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket; instead, they put it on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
The Son Fulfills the Law
17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will pass from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever sets aside one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of our Father, but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of our Father. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of our Father.
Reconcile With Your Brother First
21 You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment.' 22 But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults his brother will be brought before the council, and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. b b v22 Gehenna was the Valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem — a perpetually smoldering rubbish dump Jesus used as a vivid picture of judgment.
23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and you remember there that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Settle matters quickly with your accuser while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Purity Begins in the Heart
27 You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I tell you that everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
31 It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Let Your Yes Mean Yes
33 Again, you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'Do not break your oath, but fulfill the vows you have made to our Father.' 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of our Father, 35 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool for his feet, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Go Beyond Eye for Eye
38 You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love Your Enemies as He Does
43 You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children 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. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Don't even tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Don't even the Gentiles do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.