THEN seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and seating
himself, his disciples came to him: (2)and opening his mouth, he 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 who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be
fed to the full. (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 who are persecuted for righteousness sake:
for their's is the kingdom in heaven. (11)Blessed are ye, when they
shall revile and persecute you, and lying, speak every thing evil
against you for my sake. (12)Rejoice and exult; for plenteous is your
reward in the heavens: for just so they persecuted the prophets who
went before you.
(13)Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt become insipid, with
what can it be salted? it is of no farther use for any purpose, but to
be cast out, and trodden under foot of men.
(14)Ye are the light of the world. A city cannot be hid that is
situated on an eminence. (15)Neither do men burn a lamp, and set it
under a bushel, but on its stand; and it sheds light on all that are in
the house. (16)Just so let your light shine before men, that they may
see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in the heavens.
(17)Think not that I am come to destroy the law and the prophets: I
came not to destroy, but to fulfil. (18)For I tell you assuredly, that
till heaven and earth pass away, not one iota, or the smallest stroke
of a letter, shall pass from the law, until all things shall be
accomplished. (19)Whosoever therefore shall break one of the least of
these commandments, and teach men so, he shall be accounted the least
in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall practise, and teach them,
he shall be reckoned great in the kingdom of heaven. (20)For I say unto
you, That except your righteousness abounds more than that of the
scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of
heaven.
(21)Ye have heard that it was said to the men of antient times, "Thou
shalt do no murder;" and whosoever shall commit murder, shall be liable
to the judgment: (22)but I say unto you, That every man who is angry
with his brother without cause, shall be liable to the judgment: and
whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be liable to the
sanhedrim: but whosever shall say, Thou fool, shall be liable to be
cast into hell fire. (23)If therefore 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: first be reconciled
to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. (25)Be disposed to
agree with thy prosecutor speedily, whilst thou art in the way with him
_to the bar_; lest the prosecutor deliver thee up to the judge, and the
judge commit thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
(26)Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt in no wise come out from thence,
till thou hast paid the last farthing.
(27)Ye have heard that it was said to those of old, "Thou shalt not
commit adultery:" (28)but I say unto you, That every one who looketh
upon a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with
her in his heart. (29)If then thine eye, the right, leads thee to
offend, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is highly for thy
advantage, that one of thy members be destroyed, and not that thy whole
body should be cast into hell. (30)And if thy right hand leads thee to
offend, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is highly thy
interest that one of thy members should be destroyed, and not that thy
whole body should be cast into hell.
(31)It hath been said indeed, That whosoever will put away his wife,
let him give her a bill of divorce: (32)But I say unto you, Whosoever
shall put away his wife, except on account of whoredom, causeth her to
commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is put away,
committeth adultery.
(33)Again ye have heard that it was said to those of old, "Thou shalt
not perjure thyself, but shalt perform to the Lord thine oaths:"
(34)But I say to thee, Swear not at all; neither by the heaven; for it
is the throne of God: (35)nor by the earth; for it is the footstool of
his feet: nor by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King:
(36)neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one
hair white or black. (37)But let your discourse be, Yea, yea; No, no:
for all addition to these is from the wicked one.
(38)Ye have heard that it was said, "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth:"
(39)but I say unto you, Resist not an injurious act; but whosoever
shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him also the other.
(40)And if a man will prosecute thee, and take thy coat, let him have
thy cloak also. (41)And whosoever shall press thee for one mile, go
with him two. (42)Give to him that asketh thee; and from him who wants
to borrow of thee, turn not 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 those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and
pray for those who treat you insolently, and persecute you; (45)that ye
may be the children of your Father who is in heaven: for he causeth his
sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and tendeth rain on the just
and on the unjust. (46)For if ye love those who love you, what reward
have you? do not even the publicans the same thing? (47)And if ye
embrace your brethren only, what do ye extraordinary? do not even the
publicans so? (48)Be ye therefore perfect, as your Father who is in
heaven is perfect.