Matthew 5 — The Sermon on the Mount: The Beatitudes and the Deeper Law

They came from everywhere that season. From Galilee, and the Decapolis, from Jerusalem and Judea, and from across the Jordan. They brought me the sick, the suffering, the ones no one else would carry anymore. And I healed them.

When I saw how many there were, I went up the mountainside and sat down. My disciples came and gathered close around me. And I began to teach them.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, I said, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you, I told them, when people insult you and persecute you, and say every kind of evil thing against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is exactly how they treated the prophets who came before you.

You are the salt of the earth, I said to them. 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.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. And no one lights a lamp and then puts it under a bowl. They set it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets, I told them. I did not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. 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.

Whoever sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, you shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Anyone who insults them, who holds them in contempt, answers for it. Anyone who says, you fool, is in danger of the fire of hell.

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

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

You have heard that it was said, you shall not commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

If your right eye causes you to stumble, I said, 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. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. Better to lose one part of yourself than to lose everything.

It has been said that anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce. 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.

Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made. But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all. Not by heaven, for it is God's throne. Not by the earth, for it is his footstool. Not by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your own head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.

All you need to say is simply yes, or no. Anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

You have heard that it was said, eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. 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. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

You have heard that it was said, love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you.

Do this so that you may be children 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 alike.

If you love only those who love you, what reward is there in that? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your own people, what more are you doing than anyone else? Do not even the pagans do that?

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. That was the beginning of it. Not a new burden laid on tired shoulders, but the shape of a heart that belongs to the kingdom of heaven.