Matthew 5:27-48 ▼

27 Ye have heard that it was said, "Thou shalt not commit adultery,"

28 but I tell you, that whosoever looks on a woman with impure desires is already guilty of approving the fact.

29 If your right eye insnare you, it is better to pull it out, and to suffer the loss of that single part, than that thy whole body should be cast into Gehenna.

30 and if thy right hand insnare thee, it is better to saw it off, and to suffer the loss of that single part, than that thy whole body should be thrown into Gehenna.

31 It hath been said, whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a bill of divorce.

32 but I say unto you, whoever shall put away his wife, except in the case of adultery, is the occasion of her being an adulteress, and he that shall marry her is an adulterer.

33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said to the antients, "Thou shalt not for swear thy self, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths."

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

35 nor by the earth, for it is his footstool: nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

36 neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37 but let your communication be, yes, yes; no, no: for whatever goes beyond this, is evil.

38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth."

39 but I say unto you, don't return evil for evil; on the contrary, if any one strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other likewise.

40 and if any man will go to law with you, to have your coat, let him have your cloke too.

41 and if any one will press you to go a mile with him, go with him the other two.

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

43 You have heard that it hath been said, "you shall love your neighbour, and hate your enemy:"

44 but I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who traduce you, and persecute you:

45 that ye may be the children of your father who is in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 but if you love only them who love you, what reward can ye have? do not the heathens themselves do as much?

47 and if ye salute your brethren only, what mighty matter is that? do not even the heathens do the same?

48 be ye therefore perfect, even as your father who is in heaven is perfect.