Matthew 5:22–44

²²But I tell you that anyone who is angry^f with a brother or sister^bc will be subject to judgment.^g Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’^d is answerable to the court.^h And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.ⁱ

²³“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

²⁵“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. ²⁶Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Adultery

²⁷“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’^{ej 28}But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.^{k 29}If your right eye causes you to stumble,^l 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 your right hand causes you to stumble,^m 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.

Divorce

³¹“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’^{fn 32}But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.^o

Oaths

³³“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath,^p but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’^{q 34}But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all:^r either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;^{s 35}or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.^{t 36}And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. ³⁷All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’;^u anything beyond this comes from the evil one.^gv

Eye for Eye

³⁸“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’^{hw 39}But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.^{x 40}And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. ⁴²Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.^y

Love for Enemies

⁴³“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^iz and hate your enemy.’^{a 44}But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,^b