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Matthew 5
Disciples’ Literal New Testament

5 1 And having seen the crowds, He went up on the mountain. And He having sat-down, His disciples[a] came to Him. 2 And having opened His mouth He was teaching[b] them[c], saying—

These Are The Ones God Considers Blessed

3 “Blessed[d] are the poor in spirit, because the kingdom of the heavens is theirs. 4 Blessed are the ones mourning, because they[e] will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the gentle ones, because they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are the ones hungering and thirsting as to righteousness, because they will be filled-to-satisfaction. 7 Blessed are the merciful ones, because they will be shown-mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, because they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called sons of God[f]. 10 Blessed are the ones having been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, because the kingdom of the heavens is theirs. 11 You are blessed ones whenever they reproach you and persecute you and speak every [kind of] evil against you while lying, because-of [g] Me. 12 Be rejoicing and be overjoyed, because your reward is great in the heavens. For in this manner they persecuted the prophets before you.

You Are Salt And Light. Salt Must Be Tasty. Light Must Shine

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should become-tasteless, with what will it be salted[h]? It no longer has strength for anything except, having been thrown outside, to be trampled-underfoot by people. 14 You are the light of the world. A city lying on a hill is not able to be hidden. 15 Nor do they burn a lamp and put it under the basket, but on the lampstand— and it shines on all the ones in the house. 16 In this manner, let your light shine in front of people so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in the heavens.

I Came To Fulfill The Law. Your Righteousness Must Abound More Than The Pharisees

17 “Do not think that I came to abolish[i] the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill[j]. 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, one iota[k] or one stroke[l] will by no means pass away from the Law until all things take-place[m]. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks[n] one of the least of these commandments and in this manner teaches people— he will be called least in the kingdom of the heavens. But whoever does and teaches them— this one will be called great in the kingdom of the heavens. 20 For I say to you that unless your righteousness abounds more[o] than [that of] the scribes and Pharisees, you will by-no-means[p] enter into the kingdom of the heavens!

Some Say Do Not Murder. I Say Do Not Get Angry

21 “You heard that it was said to[q] the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder’, and ‘Whoever murders shall be liable[r] to the judgment’. 22 But I say to you that everyone being angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca’[s], shall be liable to the Sanhedrin. And whoever says, ‘Fool’[t], shall be liable to the Gehenna[u] of [v] fire. 23 Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then, having come, be offering your gift. 25 Be settling with your adversary quickly— until[w] you are with him on the way [to court]— that your adversary might not perhaps hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I say to you, you will by no means come out from there until you pay the last quadrans[x].

Some Say Do Not Commit Adultery. I Say Do Not Desire Another Woman

27 “You heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit-adultery’. 28 But I say to you that everyone looking-at a woman so-as to desire[y] her already committed-adultery-with her in his heart. 29 And if your right eye is causing you to fall, tear it out[z] and throw it from you. For it is better[aa] for you that one of your body-parts perish and your whole body not be thrown into Gehenna. 30 And if your right hand is causing you to fall, cut it off and throw it from you. For it is better for you that one of your body-parts perish and your whole body not go into Gehenna.

Some Say Get a Legal Divorce. I Say Divorcees Who Remarry Commit Adultery

31 “And it was said, ‘Whoever sends-away[ab] his wife, let him give her a divorce[ac] certificate’. 32 But I say to you that everyone sending-away his wife except for a matter[ad] of sexual-immorality is causing her to commit-adultery[ae]. And whoever marries a woman having been sent-away [from her husband] is committing-adultery.

Some Say Do Not Break Your Oath. I Say Do Not Swear an Oath At All

33 “Again, you heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not break-your-oath[af], but you shall pay your oaths to the Lord’. 34 But I say to you not to swear-with-an-oath[ag] at all— 35 neither by heaven, because it is the throne of God; nor by earth, because it is a footstool of His feet; nor with reference to Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King; 36 nor may you swear-with-an-oath by your head, because you are not able to make one hair white or black. 37 But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’, [or] ‘No, no’. And the thing beyond these is from[ah] the evil one.

Some Say Avenge an Eye For an Eye. I Say Do Not Retaliate, But Do The Opposite

38 “You heard that it was said, ‘An eye for[ai] an eye, and a tooth for a tooth’. 39 But I say to you not to resist[aj] the evil person. But whoever slaps[ak] you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 And to the one wanting to sue you and take your tunic[al], permit him also the cloak. 41 And whoever will press you into service[am] for one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one asking you, and do not turn away from the one wanting to borrow from you.

Some Say Hate Your Enemies. I Say Love Them And Pray For Them

43 “You heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy’. 44 But I say to you, be loving your enemies, and be praying for the ones persecuting you, 45 so that you may prove-to-be[an] sons of your Father[ao] in the heavens— because He causes His sun to rise upon evil and good ones, and He sends rain upon righteous and unrighteous ones. 46 For if you love the ones loving you, what reward do you have? Are not even the tax-collectors doing the same? 47 And if you greet your brothers only, what extraordinary thing are you doing? Are not even the Gentiles[ap] doing the same?

Be Perfect Reflections of Your Heavenly Father

48 “Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:1 That is, the twelve; or, the larger group from which the twelve were chosen, Lk 6:13, 17, 20.
  2. Matthew 5:2 Chapters 5-7 may represent the attainable standard of righteousness necessary to enter the kingdom; or, the unattainable standard that drives us to Christ, the premier application of the Law; or, the standard of conduct for those who have entered the kingdom.
  3. Matthew 5:2 That is, the crowds (note 7:28); or, the disciples.
  4. Matthew 5:3 Or, Fortunate, Happy, from God’s point of view.
  5. Matthew 5:4 Or, they themselves (and in each case below). This word has the emphasis.
  6. Matthew 5:9 That is, children characterized by the same trait as their Father.
  7. Matthew 5:11 That is, from the persecutor’s point of view. Or, for the sake of, from the believer’s point of view.
  8. Matthew 5:13 Or, seasoned.
  9. Matthew 5:17 Or, destroy, do away with, annul.
  10. Matthew 5:17 Or, complete, finish. That is, to perfectly fulfill the Law’s requirements; or, to fill out its true meaning and intent in His teaching; or, to bring it to its completion and conclusion in His death.
  11. Matthew 5:18 That is, the smallest letter, like our i.
  12. Matthew 5:18 That is, the single stoke that distinguishes one letter from another, like an E from an F, or a Q from an O.
  13. Matthew 5:18 Or, happen, come about.
  14. Matthew 5:19 That is, annuls the authority of, does away with, repeals.
  15. Matthew 5:20 As seen in what follows, Jesus means it must not merely be an external righteousness.
  16. Matthew 5:20 Or, never.
  17. Matthew 5:21 Or, by.
  18. Matthew 5:21 Or, answerable, subject.
  19. Matthew 5:22 That is, empty one; numbskull, blockhead.
  20. Matthew 5:22 This may have the same meaning as Raca; or, Raca may insult the intellect, Fool the character.
  21. Matthew 5:22 Or, hell.
  22. Matthew 5:22 That is, characterized by fire; the fiery Gehenna.
  23. Matthew 5:25 Lit, up to which time. Or, while, in which case ‘[to court]’ can be omitted.
  24. Matthew 5:26 This is the smallest Roman coin, 1/64th of a denarius (a day’s wage). That is, once you enter the judicial system, this world’s or God’s, the full penalty must be paid.
  25. Matthew 5:28 so as to desire. This expresses the purpose of the looking.
  26. Matthew 5:29 Take whatever action is necessary to avoid sinning.
  27. Matthew 5:29 The eternal consequences of sin are far worse that losing physical eyesight.
  28. Matthew 5:31 Or, dismisses. This refers to the physical separation aspect of divorce. The legal aspect is referred to next.
  29. Matthew 5:31 This legal document was to protect the woman and make it possible for her to remarry.
  30. Matthew 5:32 Or, word, account.
  31. Matthew 5:32 Or, become-an-adulteress. That is, when she remarries.
  32. Matthew 5:33 Or, swear-falsely, make-false-oaths.
  33. Matthew 5:34 Or, affirm, confirm with an oath, such as saying ‘I swear by heaven...’.
  34. Matthew 5:37 Or, of evil; that is, of evil origin.
  35. Matthew 5:38 That is, let your revenge be in proportion to the offense.
  36. Matthew 5:39 Or, oppose, stand against. Leave vengeance to God. Do not return evil for evil, Rom 12:17.
  37. Matthew 5:39 A slap is a personal affront.
  38. Matthew 5:40 tunic... cloak. The Law did not permit Jews to take the outer cloak, but they could sue for the tunic, the undergarment.
  39. Matthew 5:41 Soldiers would compel people to carry their things. Simon was pressed into service to carry the cross, Mt 27:32.
  40. Matthew 5:45 Or, be, become.
  41. Matthew 5:45 That is, children characterized by the same trait as your Father.
  42. Matthew 5:47 That is, the non-believers.
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Matthew 5
New International Version

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes(A)

He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.(B)
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.(C)
5 Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.(D)
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.(E)
7 Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.(F)
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,(G)
    for they will see God.(H)
9 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
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