“You’ve heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment,’” said Jesus. “But I tell you that anyone who’s angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
“Therefore, if you’re offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who’s taking you to court. Do it while you’re 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. Truly I tell you, you won’t get out until you’ve paid the last penny.
“You’ve heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
“It’s been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ 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.
“Again, you’ve heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Don’t break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you’ve made.’ But I tell you, don’t swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it’s God’s throne; or by the earth, for it’s his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it’s the city of the Great King. And don’t swear by your head, for you can’t make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
“You’ve heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, don’t resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
“You’ve heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Aren’t even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Don’t even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew
Love Never Dies 