Matthew 5

The Sermon on the Mount

1 Jesus saw the crowd, went up a hill, and sat down. His crew came to Him.

2 He started teaching them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the ones who know they need God, they get the kingdom of heaven.”

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, they will be comforted.”

5 “Blessed are the humble, they will inherit the earth.”

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, they will be satisfied.”

7 “Blessed are the merciful, they will be shown mercy.”

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, they will see God.”

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, they will be called God’s kids.”

10 “Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness, they get the kingdom of heaven.”

11 “Blessed are you when people diss you, persecute you, and lie about you because of Me.”

12 “Rejoice and be glad, because your reward in heaven is huge. That is how they treated the prophets before you.”

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt loses its flavor, it is useless, might as well toss it out.”

14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”

15 “Nobody lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, they put it on a stand so it lights up the whole house.”

16 “Let your light shine so people see your good deeds and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

17 “Do not think I came to scrap the law or the prophets, I came to fulfill them.”

18 “Not one dot or dash of the law will disappear until everything is accomplished.”

19 “If you break even the smallest commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be least in the kingdom. But if you obey and teach them, you will be great in the kingdom.”

20 “Your righteousness has to be better than the Pharisees, or you are not getting in.”

21 “You have heard, ‘Do not murder.’ But I am telling you, even being angry with someone makes you guilty.”

22 “If you insult someone, you will face judgment. Call them a fool, and you are in danger of hell.”

23 “If you are giving an offering and remember someone is mad at you.

24 Leave your gift, go make peace, then come back and give your offering.”

25 “Settle things quickly with your enemies, or they might take you to court, and you will end up in jail.”

26 “You are not getting out until you have paid every penny.”

27 “You have heard, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I am telling you, if you even look at someone lustfully, you have already committed adultery in your heart.”

28 “Keep your eyes in check, it is better to lose an eye than to lose your whole body to hell.”

29 “Same with your hand, better to lose it than for your whole body to end up in hell.”

30 “Divorce is serious. Only legit reason is sexual immorality. Marry someone divorced for the wrong reasons, and you are committing adultery.”

31 “You have heard, ‘Keep your oaths.’ But I am telling you.

32 Do not swear at all, whether by heaven, earth, or Jerusalem.”

33 “Just say ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ Anything more comes from evil.”

34 “You have heard, ‘Eye for eye.’ But I say, do not fight evil with evil.”

35 “Someone slaps you, Turn the other cheek.”

36 “If someone sues you for your shirt, give them your coat too.”

37 “If they force you to go a mile, go two.”

38 “Love your enemies and pray for those who hate on you.”

39 “That is how you act like God’s kids, He blesses everyone, good or bad.”

40 “Be perfect like your Father in heaven.”

41 If somebody in authority forces you to go one mile, surprise them and go two.

42 Give to the person who asks you for help, and do not turn away somebody who needs to borrow.

43 You all heard it said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.”

44 But I am telling you: love your enemies and pray for the people who come against you.

45 That is how you show you belong to your Father in heaven. He lets the sun rise on both evil and good people, and He sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous.

46 If you only love the people who love you back, what reward is there in that, Even tax collectors do the same thing.

47 And if you only greet your own people, what are you doing that is different, Even outsiders do that.

48 So grow into the complete kind of love your heavenly Father shows. He is perfect, and that is the standard.