The Beatitudes

1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him:

2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6Blessed are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.

Salt of the Earth and Light of the World

13You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost its savor, how shall it be salted? it is thereafter good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

15Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under a bushel, but on a lamp stand; and it gives light unto all that are in the house.

16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Jesus Fulfills the Law

17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

No Murder

21You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, You fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

23Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you;

24Leave there your gift before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

25Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.

26Verily I say unto you, you shall by no means come out of there, till you have paid the last penny.

No Adultery

27You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not commit adultery:

28But I say unto you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.

29And if your right eye causes you to offend, pluck it out, and cast it from you: for it is better for you that one of your members should perish, and not that your whole body should be cast into hell.

30And if your right hand causes you to offend, cut it off, and cast it from you: for it is better for you that one of your members should perish, and not that your whole body should be cast into hell.

No Divorce

31It has been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

32But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, except for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced commits adultery.

No Oaths

33Again, you have heard that it has been said by them of old time, You shall not perjure yourself, but shall perform unto the Lord your oaths:

34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

36Neither shall you swear by your head, because you can not make one hair white or black.

37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these comes from evil.

No Retaliation

38You have heard that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

39But I say unto you, That you resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40And if any man will sue you at the law, and take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.

41And whosoever shall compel you to go a mile, go with him two.

42Give to him that asks you, and from him that would borrow of you turn not away.

Love Your Enemies

43You have heard that it has been said, You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.

44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

46For if you love them who love you, what reward have you? do not even the tax collectors the same?

47And if you greet your brethren only, what do you more than others? do not even the tax collectors so?

48Be you therefore perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.