Matthew 5:21-47

21You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’1 and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother2 will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’3 will be subject to the Sanhedrin.4 But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.5

23So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

25Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.6

27You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’7 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, 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.8 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, 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 depart into hell.

31It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’9 32But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her.10 And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

33Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’11 34But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36Nor should you swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.12

38You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’13 39But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also; 40if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well; 41and if someone forces you to go one mile,14 go with him two miles.15 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

43You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’16 and ‘Hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,17 45that you may be sons 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. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?