Matthew Chapter Five

Jesus'  Sermon on the Mount

^1-2And seeing great numbers of people he went up to the mountain and when he was seated his disciples came to him. And with these words he gave them teaching, saying:

Being Happy

³Happy are those who have knowledge that they are in need of the spirit: for the kingdom of the heavens is theirs.

⁴Happy are those who are sad: for they will be comforted.

⁵Happy are the gentle: for the earth will be theirs.

⁶Happy are those whose heart’s desire is for righteousness: for they will have their desire.

⁷Happy are those who have mercy: for they will be given mercy.

⁸Happy are those who have a clean heart: for they will see God.

⁹Happy are those who work for peace: for they will be named sons of God.

¹⁰Happy are those who have been attacked on account of righteousness: for the kingdom of the heavens will be theirs.

¹¹Happy are you when men give you a bad name, and are cruel with you, and because of me, falsely say bad things against you.  Be glad and full of joy; for great is your reward in heaven:for so were the prophets attacked before you.

Losing Your Influence

¹³You are the salt of the earth; but if its taste goes from the salt, how will you make it salt again? Then it has no use but to be put out and crushed under foot by men.

^14-16You are the light of the world. A town put on a mountain may be seen by all.  And a burning light is not put under something, but on its table; so that its rays may shine on all those who are in the house.  Even so, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

The Importance of the Law and the Prophets

^17-20Let there be no thought that I have come to put an end to the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy them, but to make them complete. Truly I say to you, till heaven and earth come to an end, not the smallest letter or part of a letter will in any way be taken from the Law, till all things are completed. Whoever then goes against the smallest of these laws, teaching men to do the same, will be named least in the kingdom of the heavens; but he who keeps the laws, teaching others to keep them, will be named great in the kingdom of the heavens. For I say to you, If your righteousness is not greater than the righteousness of the Scribes, you will never go into the kingdom of the heavens.

^21-22You have knowledge that this was said in old times, You may not put to death; and, Whoever puts to death will be in danger of being judged: But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be in danger of being judged; and he who says to his brother: “Good-for-nothing!” will be in danger from the High Court; and whoever says, You are a foolish one! will be in danger of Gehenna.

^23-24If then you are making an offering at the alter and there it comes to your mind that your brother has something against you, While your offering is still before the alter, first go and make peace with your brother, then come and make your offering.

^25-26Come to an agreement quickly with him who has a cause against you at law, while you are with him on the way, for fear that he may give you up to the judge and the judge may give you to the police And you may be put into prison. Truly I say to you, you will not come out from there till you have made payment of the very last piece of money.

Make Things Right

^27-30You have knowledge that this was said: You may not have sex with another man’s wife: But I say to you that everyone whose eyes are turned on a woman with desire has already had sex with her in his heart. And if your right eye is a cause of trouble to you, take it out and put it away from you; because it is better to undergo the loss of one part, than for all your body to go into Gehenna. And if your right hand is a cause of trouble to you, let it be cut off and put it away from you; because it is better to undergo the loss of one part, than for all your body to go into Gehenna.

Divorce and Remarriage

^31-32Again, it was said: Whoever divorces his wife has to give her a statement in writing for this purpose: But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife for any other cause than if she has sex with another man other than her husband, puts her in danger of being false to her husband; and whoever takes her as his wife after she is divorced by her husband, will not be her true husband.

Say What You Mean and Do It

^33-37Again, you have knowledge that it was said in old times, "Do not take false oaths, but give effect to your oaths to Jehovah your God." (Deuteronomio 23:21)  But I say to you, Take no oaths at all: not by the heaven, because it is he seat of God; Or by the earth, because it is the resting-place for His foot; or by Jerusalem, because it is the town of the great King. You may not take an oath by your head, because you are not able to make one hair white or black. But let your words be simply, Yes or No: and whatever is more than these is from the Devil.

Return Good instead of Evil

^38-42You have knowledge that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, Do not take use of force against a man who is bad; but to him who gives you a blow on the right side of your face let your left side be turned. And if any man goes to law with you and takes away your coat, do not keep back your shirt from him. And whoever makes you go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to him who comes to you with a request, and keep not your property from him, who would for a time make use of it.

Love Your Enemies

^43-48You have knowledge that it was said, Have love for your neighbour, and hate for him who is against you: But I say to you, Have love for those who are against you, so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for his sun gives light to those who are bad and to those who are good, and he sends rain on the upright man and on the sinner. For if you have love for those who have love for you, what credit is it to you? Do not tax-collectors do the same? And if you say, Good day, to your brothers only, What do you do more than others? Even the people of the nations do the same, do they not? Be then complete in your love, even as your Father in heaven is complete.