Mat 5 | BSB | STEP | When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain and sat down. His disciples came to Him,

Matthew 5

The Sermon on the Mount

1 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain and sat down. His disciples came to Him, 2 and He began to teach them, saying:

The Beatitudes

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 sons 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 before you.

Salt and Light

13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for [anything] , except to be thrown out [and] trampled by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do [people] light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, [they set it] on a lampstand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, {let} your light shine before men, 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 I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches [them] will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds [that] of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Anger and Reconciliation

21 You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ ^{▼▼Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17} 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother ^{▼▼BYZ and TR include without cause} will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ ^{▼▼An Aramaic expression of contempt} will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. 23 Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar. First go [and] be reconciled to your brother; then come [and] offer your gift. 25 Reconcile 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. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. ^{▼▼Greek kodranten, a roman copper coin worth about 1/64 of a denarius}

Adultery

27 You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ ^{▼▼Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18} 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her {has} already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If 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. 30 And 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.

Divorce

31 It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ ^{▼▼Deuteronomy 24:1} 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. ^{▼▼Or causes her to commit adultery} And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths and Vows

33 Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ 34 But I tell you not to swear 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 Nor should you swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 Simply let your ‘Yes’ [be] ‘Yes,’ [and your] ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil [one] . ^{▼▼Or from evil}

Love Your Enemies

38 You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ ^{▼▼Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21} 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil [person] . [If] someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also; 40 if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have [your] cloak as well; 41 and if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the [one] who asks you, and do not turn away from the [one] who wants to borrow from you. 43 You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ^{▼▼Leviticus 19:18} 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ^{▼▼BYZ and TR bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully accuse you, and persecute you} 45 that 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. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.