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Matthew 5
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1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him:
1When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,
3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
3God blesses those who are poor in spirit and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.
4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
4God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
5God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.
6Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
6God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.
7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
7God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
8God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.
9God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
10Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
10God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.
11Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
11God blesses you when people insult you, persecute you, and lie about you because you are my followers.
12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.
12Be happy and glad! For a great reward is waiting for you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.
13You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and walked on.
14Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
14You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.
15Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house.
15No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.
16Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
16In the same way, let your light shine so others can see your good deeds and give glory to your Father in heaven.
17Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil.
17Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to get rid of the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. I came to fulfill their true meaning.
18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished.
18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.
19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
19So if you ignore even the smallest commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
20For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.
20But I warn you—unless your righteousness is greater than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
21Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
21You have heard that our ancestors were told, 'You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.'
22but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire.
22But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.
23If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee,
23So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,
24leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
24leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and double-check that you are reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
25Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
25Settle your differences quickly with your enemy while you are on the way to court. Otherwise, your opponent may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison.
26Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the last farthing.
26And if that happens, I tell you the truth, you will not be free again until you have paid the very last penny.
27Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
27You have heard the commandment that says, 'You must not commit adultery.'
28but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
28But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell.
29So 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.
30And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into hell.
30And 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 go into hell.
31It was said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
31You have heard that it was said, 'Whoever divorces his wife must give her a written notice of divorce.'
32but I say unto you, that every one that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away committeth adultery.
32But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.
33Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
33You have also heard that our ancestors were told, 'You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.'
34but I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by the heaven, for it is the throne of God;
34But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, 'By heaven,' because heaven is God’s throne.
35nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
35And do not say, 'By the earth,' because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, 'By Jerusalem,' for Jerusalem is the city of the great King.
36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white or black.
36Do not even say, 'By my head,' for you can’t turn one hair white or black.
37But let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one.
37Just say a simple 'Yes, I will,' or 'No, I won’t.' Anything beyond this is from the evil one.
38Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
38You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'
39but I say unto you, Resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
39But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.
40And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
40If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.
41And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two.
41If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.
42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
42Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.
43Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy:
43You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy.
44but I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;
44But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
45that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.
45In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.
46For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
46If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.