Matthew

The Gospel according to Saint Matthew, chapter 5, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 5 New English Translation

The Beatitudes

   1 When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. After he sat down his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to teach them by saying:
   3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
   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 satisfied.
   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 the children of God.
   10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
   11 "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.

Salt and Light

   13 "You 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 trampled on by people. 14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

Fulfillment of the Law and Prophets

   17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish these things but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter will pass from the law until everything takes place. 19 So anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever obeys them and teaches others to do so will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the experts in the law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Anger and Murder

   21 "You have heard that it was said to an older generation, 'Do not murder, ' and 'whoever murders will be subjected to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment. And whoever insults a brother will be brought before the council, and whoever says 'Fool' will be sent to fiery hell. 23 So then, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother and then come and present your gift. 25 Reach agreement quickly with your accuser while on the way to court, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the warden, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 I tell you the truth, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny!

Adultery

   27 "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell. 30 If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into hell.

Divorce

   31 "It was said, 'Whoever divorces his wife must give her a legal document.' 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths

   33 "Again, you have heard that it was said to an older generation, 'Do not break an oath, but fulfill your vows to the LORD.' 34 But I say to you, do not take oaths at all - not by heaven, because it is the throne of God, 35 not by earth, because it is his footstool, and not by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. 36 Do not take an oath by your head, because you are not able to make one hair white or black. 37 Let your word be 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no.' More than this is from the evil one.

Retaliation

   38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer. But whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and to take your tunic, give him your coat also. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not reject 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 say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don't they? 47 And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don't they? 48 So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

King James Version

   1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
   2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
   3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their's is the kingdom of heaven.
   4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
   5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
   6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
   7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
   8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
   9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
   10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for their's is the kingdom of heaven.
   11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
   12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
   13 ¶ Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
   14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
   15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
   16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
   17 ¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
   18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
   19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
   20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
   21 ¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
   22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
   23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
   24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
   25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
   26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
   27 ¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
   28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
   29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
   30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
   31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
   32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
   33 ¶ Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
   34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
   35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
   36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
   37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
   38 ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
   39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
   40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
   41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
   42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
   43 ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
   44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
   45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
   46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
   47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
   48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.