17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the aLaw or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.

18 “For truly I say to you, auntil heaven and earth pass away, not 1the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

19 “Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches 1others to do the same, shall be called least ain the kingdom of heaven; but whoever 2keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 “For I say to you that unless your arighteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Personal Relationships

21 “aYou have heard that 1the ancients were told, ‘bYou shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be 2liable to cthe court.’

22 “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be 1guilty before athe court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘2You good-for-nothing,’ shall be 1guilty before 3bthe supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be 1guilty enough to go into the 4cfiery hell.

23 “Therefore if you are apresenting your 1offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,

24 leave your 1offering there before the altar and go; first be areconciled to your brother, and then come and present your 1offering.

25 “aMake friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.

26 “Truly I say to you, ayou will not come out of there until you have paid up the last 1cent.

27 “aYou have heard that it was said, ‘bYou shall not commit adultery’;

28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman awith lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.