Introduction to the Sermon on
the Mount
1Now
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
He said:
3 “Blessed
are the
poor in
spirit,
for
theirs is
the
kingdom of
heaven.
4 Blessed
are those
who mourn,
for
they will
be
comforted.
5 Blessed
are the
meek,
for
they will
inherit
the earth.
6 Blessed
are those
who hunger
and thirst
for
righteousness,
for
they will
be filled.
7 Blessed
are the
merciful,
for
they will
be shown
mercy.
8 Blessed
are the
pure in
heart,
for
they will
see God.
9 Blessed
are the
peacemakers,
for
they will
be called
children
of God.
10 Blessed
are those
who are
persecuted
because of
righteousness,
for
theirs is
the
kingdom of
heaven.
11 “Blessed
are you
when
people
insult
you,
persecute
you and
falsely
say all
kinds of
evil
against
you
because of
me.
12 Rejoice
and be
glad,
because
great is
your
reward in
heaven,
for in the
same way
they
persecuted
the
prophets
who were
before
you.
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.
14 “You
are the
light of
the world.
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.
16 In
the same
way, let
your light
shine
before
others,
that they
may see
your good
deeds and
glorify
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.
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.
19 Therefore
anyone who
sets aside
one of the
least of
these
commands
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.
Murder
21 “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.’
22 But
I tell you
that
anyone who
is angry
with a
brother or
sister
will be
subject to
judgment.
Again,
anyone who
says to a
brother or
sister,
‘Raca,’ is
answerable
to the
court. And
anyone who
says, ‘You
fool!’
will be in
danger of
the fire
of hell.
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.’
28 But
I tell you
that
anyone who
looks at a
woman
lustfully
has
already
committed
adultery
with her
in his
heart.
29 If
your right
eye causes
you to
stumble,
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,
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.’
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.
Oaths
33 “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.’
34 But
I tell
you, do
not swear
an oath at
all:
either by
heaven,
for it is
God’s
throne;
35 or
by the
earth, for
it is his
footstool;
or by
Jerusalem,
for it is
the city
of the
Great
King.
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’;
anything
beyond
this comes
from the
evil one.
Eye for Eye
38 “You
have heard
that it
was said,
‘Eye for
eye, and
tooth for
tooth.’
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.
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.
Love for Enemies
43 “You
have heard
that it
was said,
‘Love your
neighbor
and hate
your
enemy.’
44 But
I tell
you, love
your
enemies
and pray
for those
who
persecute
you,
45 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.
46 If
you love
those who
love you,
what
reward
will you
get? 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.