Matthew 5:33–48

Tell the Truth

³³“Again, you have heard that it was said to our ancestors, ^jYou must not break your oath, but you must keep your oaths to the Lord. ^kl34But I tell you, don’t take an oath at all: either by heaven, because it is God’s throne; ³⁵or by the earth, because it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. ^m36Neither should you swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. ³⁷But let your word ‘yes’ be ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no.’ ⁿAnything more than this is from the evil one. ^o

Go the Second Mile

³⁸“You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. ^pq39But I tell you, don’t resist ^ran evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. ^s40As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, ^tlet him have your coat ^uas well. ⁴¹And if anyone forces ^vyou to go one mile, go with him two. ⁴²Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. ^w

Love Your Enemies

⁴³“You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor ^xyand hate your enemy. ⁴⁴But I tell you, love your enemies ^zand pray for those who ^apersecute you, ^b45so that you may be ^csons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ^d46For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷And if you greet only your ^•brothers, what are you doing out of the ordinary? ^efDon’t even the Gentiles ^gdo the same? ⁴⁸Be perfect, ^htherefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.