Matthew 5:27–48

Adultery

²⁷“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ ²⁸But here is what I tell you. Do not even look at a woman in the wrong way. Anyone who does has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

²⁹“If your right eye causes you to sin, poke it out and throw it away. Your eye is only one part of your body. It is better to lose it than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

³⁰“If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. Your hand is only one part of your body. It is better to lose it than for your whole body to go into hell.

Divorce

³¹“It has been said, ‘Suppose a man divorces his wife. If he does, he must give her a letter of divorce.’ ³²But here is what I tell you. Anyone who divorces his wife causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who gets married to the divorced woman commits adultery. A man may divorce his wife only if she has not been faithful to him.

Oaths

³³“Again, you have heard what was said to your people long ago. They were told, ‘Do not break the promises you make to the Lord. Keep the oaths you have made to him.’ ³⁴But here is what I tell you. Do not make any promises like that at all. Do not make them in the name of heaven. That is God’s throne. ³⁵Do not make them in the name of the earth. That is the stool for God’s feet. Do not make them in the name of Jerusalem. That is the city of the Great King. ³⁶And do not take an oath in the name of your head. You can’t make even one hair white or black.

³⁷“Just let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes.’ Let your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more than this comes from the evil one.

Be Kind to Others

³⁸“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye must be put out for an eye. A tooth must be knocked out for a tooth.’ ³⁹But here is what I tell you. Do not fight against an evil person.

“Suppose someone hits you on your right cheek. Turn your other cheek to him also. ⁴⁰Suppose someone takes you to court to get your shirt. Let him have your coat also. ⁴¹Suppose someone forces you to go one mile. Go two miles with him.

⁴²“Give to the one who asks you for something. Don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow something from you.

Love Your Enemies

⁴³“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor. Hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴But here is what I tell you. Love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you. ⁴⁵Then you will be sons of your Father who is in heaven.

“He causes his sun to shine on evil people and good people. He sends rain on those who do right and those who don’t.

⁴⁶“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Even the tax collectors do that. ⁴⁷If you greet only your own people, what more are you doing than others? Even people who are ungodly do that. ⁴⁸So be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.