Yerusalemu, Yudea na kutoka ng’ambo ya mto Yordani.

Yesu alipoona umati wa watu, alipanda mlimani akaketi chini. Wanafunzi wake wakamjia, naye akaanza kuwafundisha akisema:

“Wamebarikiwa walio maskini wa roho; maana Ufalme wa mbin guni ni wao. Wamebarikiwa wanaoomboleza; maana watafarijiwa. Wamebarikiwa walio wapole; maana watairithi nchi. Wamebari kiwa wenye hamu ya kutenda haki; maana wataridhishwa. Wamebari kiwa walio na huruma; maana nao watahurumiwa. Wamebarikiwa walio na moyo safi; maana watamwona Mungu. Wamebarikiwa walio wapatanishi; maana wataitwa wana wa Mungu. 10 Wamebarikiwa wanaoteswa kwa kutenda haki; maana Ufalme wa mbinguni ni wao.

11 Mmebarikiwa ninyi wakati watu watakapowatukana na kuwatesa na kuwasingizia maovu kwa ajili yangu. 12 Shangilieni na kufurahi, kwa maana zawadi yenu huko mbinguni ni kubwa; kwa kuwa ndivyo walivyowatesa manabii waliowatangulia ninyi.

13 “Ninyi ni chumvi ya ulimwengu. Lakini chumvi ikipoteza ladha yake, haiwezekani kuwa chumvi tena. Haifai kwa kitu cho chote, ila kutupwa nje ikanyagwe na watu.

14 “Ninyi ni nuru ya ulimwengu. Mji uliojengwa kwenye mlima haufichiki. 15 Wala hakuna mtu anayewasha taa kisha akaifunika. Badala yake, huiweka mahali pa juu ili itoe mwanga kwa kila mtu aliyemo ndani ya nyumba. 16 Hali kadhalika, nuru yenu iwaangazie watu ili waone matendo yenu mema wamtukuze Baba yenu aliye mbin guni.’

Mafundisho Kuhusu Sheria

17 “Msidhani kwamba nimekuja kufuta sheria ya Musa na mafundisho ya manabii. kwamba mpaka mbingu na dunia zitaka potoweka, hakuna hata herufi moja ya sheria itakayopotea mpaka shabaha yake ikamilike. 19 Kwa hiyo ye yote atakayelegeza hata mojawapo ya amri ndogo kuliko amri zote na akawafundisha wengine kufanya hivyo, ataitwa mdogo kabisa katika Ufalme wa mbinguni. Sikuja kuzifuta bali kuzitimiza. 18 Kwa maana ninawaambia hakika Lakini atakayetii amri hizi na kuwafundisha wengine kuzitii a taitwa mkuu katika Ufalme wa mbinguni. 20 Kwa maana nawaambieni, ikiwa haki yenu haitazidi haki ya waandishi wa sheria na Mafari sayo, hamtaingia katika Ufalme wa mbinguni kamwe.”

Mafundisho Kuhusu Hasira

21 “Mmesikia walivyowafundisha watu wa zamani kwamba, ‘Usiue; na ye yote atakayeua atastahili hukumu.’ 22 Lakini mimi nawaambia kwamba, ye yote atakayemkasirikia ndugu yake atasta hili hukumu; na ye yote atakayemtukana ndugu yake, atashtakiwa katika baraza; na ye yote atakayemwambia ndugu yake, ‘Wewe mjinga,’ atastahili hukumu ya moto wa Jehena.

23 “Basi, kama ulikuwa tayari kutoa sadaka yako madhaba huni, ukakumbuka kuwa ndugu yako amekukasirikia, 24 acha sadaka yako hapo hapo, uende kwanza ukapatane naye, kisha urudi kumtolea Mungu sadaka yako. 25 “Mtu akikushtaki, patana naye kabla hamjafika mahaka mani; ili mshtaki wako asije akakukabidhi kwa hakimu, na hakimu akamwamuru askari akufunge gerezani; 26 nami nawaambia hakika, hutatoka huko mpaka deni lako lote litakapolipwa.”

Mafundisho Kuhusu Uzinzi

27 “Mmesikia walivyowafundisha watu wa zamani kwamba, ‘Usi zini’. 28 Lakini mimi nawaambia: ye yote atakayemwangalia mwa namke kwa kumtamani, amekwisha kuzini naye moyoni mwake. 29 Jicho lako la kulia likikufanya utende dhambi, ling’oe ulitu pilie mbali. Ni afadhali upoteze sehemu ya mwili wako kuliko mwili mzima utupwe Jehena. 30 Na kama mkono wako wa kuume ukiku fanya utende dhambi, ukate uutupilie mbali. Ni afadhali upoteze sehemu ya mwili wako kuliko mwili mzima utupwe Jehena.

31 “Pia mliambiwa kwamba, ‘Mtu ye yote anayemwacha mkewe ampe talaka.’ 32 Lakini mimi nawaambia, ye yote atakayempa mkewe talaka isipokuwa kwa kosa la uasherati, anamfanya mkewe mzinzi. Na ye yote atakayemwoa mwanamke aliyepewa talaka anazini.”

Mafundisho Kuhusu Kuapa

33 “Tena mmesikia watu wa kale waliambiwa kwamba, ‘Usi vunje kiapo chako bali umtimizie Mungu kama ulivyoapa kutenda.’ 34 Lakini mimi nawaambia, msiape kabisa, ama kwa mbingu, kwa sababu ni kiti cha enzi cha Mungu, 35 au kwa ardhi, kwa sababu ndipo mahali pake pa kuwekea miguu, au kwa Yerusalemu kwa sababu ndio mji wa Mfalme mkuu. 36 Na msiape kwa vichwa vyenu kwa sababu hamwezi kugeuza hata unywele mmoja kuwa mweupe au mweusi. 37 Ukisema ‘Ndio’ basi iwe ‘Ndio’; na ukisema ‘Hapana’ basi iwe ‘ Hapana.’ Lo lote zaidi ya haya hutoka kwa yule mwovu.”

Mafundisho Kuhusu Kulipiza Kisasi

38 “Mmesikia kuwa watu zamani walikuwa wakisema, ‘Jicho kwa jicho na jino kwa jino.’ 39 Lakini mimi nawaambia, msishindane na mtu mwovu. Lakini mtu akikupiga kwenye shavu la kulia, mgeuzie na shavu la kushoto pia; 40 na kama mtu akitaka kukushtaki achukue shati lako, mwachie achukue na koti pia. 41 Na kama mtu akikulazimisha uende kilometa moja naye, fanya zaidi, nenda naye kilometa mbili. 42 Mtu akikuomba kitu mpe, na usikatae kumsaidia mtu anayetaka kukukopa.”

Wapendeni Maadui Zenu

43 “Mmesikia kuwa watu zamani walikuwa wakisema, ‘Umpende jirani yako na umchukie adui yako.’ 44 Lakini mimi ninawaambia, wapendeni maadui zenu na waombeeni wanaowatesa, 45 ili mpate kuwa watoto wa Baba yenu aliye mbinguni. Kwa maana yeye huwaanga zia jua lake watu waovu na watu wema; na pia huleta mvua kwa wenye haki na wasio haki. 46 Kama mkiwapenda wanaowapenda tu, mtapata thawabu gani? Hata wenye dhambi hufanyiana hivyo. 47 Na kama mkiwasalimu ndugu zenu tu, mnafanya nini zaidi ya wengine? Hata watu wa mataifa wasiomjua Mungu, hufanya hivyo. 48 Kwa hiyo inawapasa ninyi muwe wakamilifu kama Baba yenu wa mbinguni alivyo mkamilifu.”

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes(A)

He said:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.(B)
Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.(C)
Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.(D)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.(E)
Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.(F)
Blessed are the pure in heart,(G)
    for they will see God.(H)
Blessed are the peacemakers,(I)
    for they will be called children of God.(J)
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,(K)
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.(L)

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you,(M) persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.(N) 12 Rejoice and be glad,(O) because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.(P)

Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.(Q)

14 “You are the light of the world.(R) A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.(S) 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others,(T) that they may see your good deeds(U) and glorify(V) your Father in heaven.

The Fulfillment of 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.(W) 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.(X) 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands(Y) and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.(Z)

Murder(AA)

21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,[a](AB) and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry(AC) with a brother or sister[b][c] will be subject to judgment.(AD) Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[d] is answerable to the court.(AE) And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.(AF)

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Adultery

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’[e](AG) 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.(AH) 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble,(AI) gouge 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,(AJ) 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.

Divorce

31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’[f](AK) 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.(AL)

Oaths

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath,(AM) but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’(AN) 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all:(AO) either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;(AP) 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.(AQ) 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’;(AR) anything beyond this comes from the evil one.[g](AS)

Eye for Eye

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[h](AT) 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.(AU) 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.(AV)

Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i](AW) and hate your enemy.’(AX) 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,(AY) 45 that you may be children(AZ) of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.(BA) 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?(BB) Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.(BC)

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:21 Exodus 20:13
  2. Matthew 5:22 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a fellow disciple, whether man or woman; also in verse 23.
  3. Matthew 5:22 Some manuscripts brother or sister without cause
  4. Matthew 5:22 An Aramaic term of contempt
  5. Matthew 5:27 Exodus 20:14
  6. Matthew 5:31 Deut. 24:1
  7. Matthew 5:37 Or from evil
  8. Matthew 5:38 Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21
  9. Matthew 5:43 Lev. 19:18