1When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.

2He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,

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

4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7Blessed are the merciful, for they will obtain mercy.

8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

10Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely for my sake.

12Rejoice and be very glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For in this way people persecuted the prophets who lived before you.

13You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt has lost its taste, how can it be made salty again? It is never again good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

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

15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but rather on the lampstand, and it shines for everyone in the house.

16Let your light shine before people in such a way that they see your good deeds and praise your Father who is in heaven.

17Do not think that I have come to destroy the law or the prophets. I have come not to destroy them, but to fulfill them.

18For truly I say to you that until heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things have been accomplished.

19Therefore whoever breaks the least one of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever keeps them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20For I say to you that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will in no way enter the kingdom of heaven.

21You have heard that it was said to them in ancient times, 'Do not kill,' and, 'Whoever kills will be in danger of the judgment.'

22But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be in danger of the judgment; and whoever says to his brother, 'You worthless person!' will be in danger of the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

23Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has anything against you,

24leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go on your way. First be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

25Agree with your accuser quickly while you are with him on the way to court, or 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.

26Truly I say to you, you will never come out from there until you have paid the last bit of money you owe.

27You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'

28But I say to you that everyone who looks on a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

29If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your body parts should perish than that your whole body should be thrown into hell.

30If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your body parts should perish than that your whole body should go into hell.

31It was also said, 'Whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce.'

32But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress. Whoever marries her after she has been divorced commits adultery.

33Again, you have heard that it was said to those in ancient times, 'Do not swear a false oath, but carry out your oaths to the Lord.'

34But I say to you, swear not at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God;

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

36Neither swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.

37But let your speech be 'Yes, yes,' or 'No, no.' Anything that is more than this is from the evil one.

38You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'

39But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil. Instead, whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40If anyone wishes to go to court with you and takes away your coat, let that person also have your cloak.

41Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.

42Give to anyone who asks you, and do not turn away from anyone who wishes to borrow from you.

43You have heard that it was said, 'You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'

44But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁰

45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.

46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you get? Do not even the tax collectors do the same thing?

47If you greet only your brothers, what do you do more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same thing?

48Therefore you must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.