1When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain. After he sat down, his followers came to him.
2He began to speak and teach them, saying,
3"Joyful are those who know their spiritual need, because the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.
4Joyful are those who are sad, because God will comfort them.
5Joyful are the humble, because they will inherit the earth.
6Joyful are those who want to do right more than anything else, because God will satisfy them.
7Joyful are the merciful, because they will receive mercy.
8Joyful are the pure in heart, because they will see God.
9Joyful are those who make peace, because they will be called children of God.
10Joyful are those who are treated badly for doing what is right, because the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.
11"Joyful are you when people insult you, treat you badly, and say all kinds of false evil things about you because of me.
12Be happy and very glad, because you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven. In the same way, people treated the prophets who lived before you badly.
13"You are like salt for the earth. But if the salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It's useless then, and can only be thrown out and walked on by people.
14You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.
15People do not light a lamp and put it under a bowl; instead, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Father in heaven.
17"Do not think that I came to do away with the law or the prophets. I did not come to do away with them, but to complete them.
18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest letter or stroke of a pen will disappear from the law until everything is done.
19Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whoever obeys these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
20For I tell you that unless you live a more righteous life than the Jewish religious teachers and the Pharisees, you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of Heaven."
21"You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, 'You must not murder;' and 'Whoever murders will be subject to judgment.'
22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with their brother or sister without a good reason will be subject to judgment. Whoever calls their brother or sister 'worthless' will be subject to the council. And whoever says 'You fool!' will be subject to the fires of Gehenna.
23So 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 make peace with your brother or sister, then come back and offer your gift.
25Quickly come to an agreement with the person who is suing you while you are on the way to court. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.
26I assure you, you will not get out of there until you have paid every last cent.
27"You have heard that it was said, 'You must not commit adultery;'
28but I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29If your right eye causes you to sin, tear 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 Gehenna.
30If your right hand causes you to sin, 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 Gehenna.
31"It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce,'
32but I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress. And anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
33"Again, you have heard that it was said to our ancestors, 'You must not break your vows, but you must fulfill the vows you make to the Lord.'
34But I tell you, do not swear oaths at all: not by heaven, for it is God's throne;
35not by the earth, for it is his footstool; and not by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.
36Do not swear by your head, because you cannot make even one hair white or black.
37Just let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more than this comes from the evil one.
38"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
39But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
40If someone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let them have your coat as well.
41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with them two.
42Give to anyone who asks you, and don’t turn away from someone who wants to borrow from you.
43You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44But I tell you, love your enemies, say good things about those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who treat you badly and persecute you.
45Then you will be children of your Father in heaven. Because he makes his sun rise on both evil and good people, and he sends rain on those who do right and those who do wrong.
46If you only love those who love you, what special credit do you get? Don’t even tax collectors do the same?
47If you only greet your friends, what more are you doing than others? Don’t even tax collectors do the same?
48So you must be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.