New International Version (NIV)

Matthew 5 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there New International Version (NIV) remember that your brother or sister has something against Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be 5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and 25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking he began to teach them. you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or The Beatitudes your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge He said: may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. paid the last penny. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, Adultery for they will be comforted. 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit 5 Blessed are the meek, adultery.’[e] 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman for they will inherit the earth. lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out for they will be filled. and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your 7 Blessed are the merciful, body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if for they will be shown mercy. your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for for they will see God. your whole body to go into hell. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, Divorce for they will be called children of God. 31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of her a certificate of divorce.’[f] 32 But I tell you that anyone who righteousness, divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and commits adultery. falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Oaths me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in 33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows were before you. you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at Salt and Light all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a evil one.[g] bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to Eye for Eye everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for before others, that they may see your good deeds and tooth.’[h] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone glorify your Father in heaven. slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek The Fulfillment of the Law also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any you. means disappear from the Law until everything is Love for Enemies accomplished.19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of practices and teaches these commands will be called great in your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And Murder if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more 21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, ‘You shall not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[d] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Matthew 5 Then and only then, come back and work things out with God. The Message (MSG) 25-26 “Or say you’re out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. You’re Blessed Don’t lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with 5 1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a him. After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed record, you’re likely to end up in court, maybe even jail. If that with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his happens, you won’t get out without a stiff fine. climbing companions. This is what he said: Adultery and Divorce 3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of 27-28 “You know the next commandment pretty well, too: ‘Don’t go to you there is more of God and his rule. bed with another’s spouse.’ But don’t think you’ve preserved your 4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. virtue simply by staying out of bed. Your heart can be corrupted by Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. lust even quicker than your body. Those leering looks you think 5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no nobody notices—they also corrupt. more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners 29-30 “Let’s not pretend this is easier than it really is. If you want to of everything that can’t be bought. live a morally pure life, here’s what you have to do: You have to 6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. blind your right eye the moment you catch it in a lustful leer. You He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. have to choose to live one-eyed or else be dumped on a moral trash 7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ pile. And you have to chop off your right hand the moment you you find yourselves cared for. notice it raised threateningly. Better a bloody stump than your entire 8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and being discarded for good in the dump. heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. 31-32 “Remember the Scripture that says, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, 9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate let him do it legally, giving her divorce papers and her legal rights’? instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really Too many of you are using that as a cover for selfishness and whim, are, and your place in God’s family. pretending to be righteous just because you are ‘legal.’ Please, no 10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes more pretending. If you divorce your wife, you’re responsible for persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s making her an adulteress (unless she has already made herself that by kingdom. sexual promiscuity). And if you marry such a divorced adulteress, 11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you’re automatically an adulterer yourself. You can’t use legal cover you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. to mask a moral failure. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are Empty Promises uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, 33-37 “And don’t say anything you don’t mean. This counsel is even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, ‘I’ll pray for you,’ have always gotten into this kind of trouble. and never doing it, or saying, ‘God be with you,’ and not meaning it. Salt and Light You don’t make your words true by embellishing them with religious 13 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your true. Just say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ When you manipulate words to get your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your own way, you go wrong. usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Love Your Enemies 14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing 38-42 “Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. 43-47 “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and Completing God’s Law its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. 17-18 “Don’t suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in Scriptures—either God’s Law or the Prophets. I’m not here to you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true together in a vast panorama. God’s Law is more real and lasting than selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, out and earth wears out, God’s Law will be alive and working. regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love 19-20 “Trivialize even the smallest item in God’s Law and you will the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any others, and you will find honor in the kingdom. Unless you do far run-of-the-mill sinner does that. better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won’t 48 “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. know the first thing about entering the kingdom. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously Murder and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” 21-22 “You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill. 23-24 “This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you 31 “It has been said, ‘Whoever wants to divorce his wife should have it put in writing, telling her he is leaving her.’ 32 But I tell you, Matthew 5 whoever divorces his wife except if she has not been faithful to him, New Life Version (NLV) makes her guilty of a sex sin. Whoever marries a woman who has Jesus Teaches on the Mountain been divorced is guilty of a sex sin. 5 Jesus saw many people. He went up on the mountain and sat down. Jesus Teaches about What to Say His followers came to Him. 2 He began to teach them, 33 “You have heard that it was said long ago, ‘You must not make a saying, 3 “Those who know there is nothing good in themselves are promise you cannot keep. You must carry out your promises to the happy, because the holy nation of heaven is theirs. 4 Those who have Lord.’ 34 I tell you, do not use strong words when you make a sorrow are happy, because they will be comforted. 5 Those who have promise. Do not promise by heaven. It is the place where God no pride in their hearts are happy, because the earth will be given to is. 35 Do not promise by earth. It is where He rests His feet. Do not them. 6 Those who are hungry and thirsty to be right with God are promise by Jerusalem. It is the city of the great King.36 Do not happy, because they will be filled.7 Those who show loving-kindness promise by your head. You are not able to make one hair white or are happy, because they will have loving-kindness shown to black. 37 Let your yes be YES. Let your no be NO. Anything more them. 8 Those who have a pure heart are happy, because they will see than this comes from the devil. God. 9 Those who make peace are happy, because they will be called Jesus Teaches about Fighting the sons of God.10 Those who have it very hard for doing right are 38 “You have heard that it has been said, ‘An eye for an eye and a happy, because the holy nation of heaven is theirs. 11 You are happy tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not fight with the man who when people act and talk in a bad way to you and make it very hard wants to fight. Whoever hits you on the right side of the face, turn so for you and tell bad things and lies about you because you trust in he can hit the other side also. 40 If any person takes you to court to get Me. 12 Be glad and full of joy because your reward will be much in your shirt, give him your coat also. 41 Whoever makes you walk a heaven. They made it very hard for the early preachers who lived a short way, go with him twice as far. 42 Give to any person who asks long time before you. you for something. Do not say no to the man who wants to use Jesus Teaches about Salt and Light something of yours. 13 “You are the salt of the earth. If salt loses its taste, how can it be Jesus Teaches about Loving Those Who Hate You made to taste like salt again? It is no good. It is thrown away and 43 “You have heard that it has been said, ‘You must love your people walk on it. 14 You are the light of the world. You cannot hide a neighbor and hate those who hate you.’ 44 But I tell you, love those city that is on a mountain. 15 Men do not light a lamp and put it under who hate you. (*Respect and give thanks for those who say bad a basket. They put it on a table so it gives light to all in the things to you. Do good to those who hate you.) Pray for those who do house. 16 Let your light shine in front of men. Then they will see the bad things to you and who make it hard for you. 45 Then you may be good things you do and will honor your Father Who is in heaven. the sons of your Father Who is in heaven. His sun shines on bad Jesus Teaches about the Law people and on good people. He sends rain on those who are right with 17 “Do not think that I have come to do away with the Law of Moses God and on those who are not right with God. 46 If you love those or the writings of the early preachers. I have not come to do away who love you, what reward can you expect from that? Do not even with them but to complete them. 18 I tell you, as long as heaven and the tax-gatherers do that? 47 If you say hello only to the people you earth last, not one small mark or part of a word will pass away of the like, are you doing any more than others? The people who do not Law of Moses until it has all been done. 19 Anyone who breaks even know God do that much. 48 You must be perfect as your Father in the least of the Law of Moses and teaches people not to do what it heaven is perfect. says, will be called the least in the holy nation of heaven. He who obeys and teaches others to obey what the Law of Moses says, will be called great in the holy nation of heaven. 20 I tell you, unless you are more right with God than the teachers of the Law and the proud religious law-keepers, you will never get into the holy nation of heaven. Jesus Teaches about Anger and Killing 21 “You have heard that men were told long ago, ‘You must not kill another person. If someone does kill, he will be guilty and will be punished for his wrong-doing.’ 22 But I tell you that whoever is angry with his brother will be guilty and have to suffer for his wrong-doing. Whoever says to his brother, ‘You have no brains,’ will have to stand in front of the court. Whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be sent to the fire of hell. 23 If you take your gift to the altar and remember your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift on the altar. Go and make right what is wrong between you and him. Then come back and give your gift. 25 Agree with the one who is against you while you are talking together, or he might take you to court. The court will hand you over to the police. You will be put in prison. 26 For sure, I tell you, you will not be let out of prison until you have paid every piece of money of the fine. Jesus Teaches about Husband and Wife 27 “You have heard that it was said long ago, ‘You must not do sex sins.’ 28 But I tell you, anyone who even looks at a woman with a sinful desire of wanting her has already sinned in his heart. 29 If your right eye is the reason you sin, take it out and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 If your right hand is the reason you sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go to hell. Jesus Teaches about Marriage 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and Matthew 5 whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. King James Version (KJV) 33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, 5 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine he was set, his disciples came unto him: oaths: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. God's throne: 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. is the city of the great King. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make they shall be filled. one hair white or black. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. is more than these cometh of evil. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of 38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth God. for a tooth: 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall theirs is the kingdom of heaven. smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. him have thy cloak also. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of 13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, thee turn not thou away. wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. and hate thine enemy. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, hid. do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a use you, and persecute you; candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. rain on the just and on the unjust. 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not not come to destroy, but to fulfil. even the publicans the same? 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. do not even the publicans so? 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of perfect. heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. 27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: