Those who are blessed1Because of the large crowds, Jesus went onto a hillside and sat down. His disciples gathered around Him2and He began to teach them, saying:3"The truly humble, those who are poor in spirit, are blessed, because the Kingdom of heaven is given to them.4"Those who mourn are blessed, because they shall be comforted.5"Those with gentle spirits, the meek, they also are blessed, because they will have the earth as their inheritance.6"Those who long for righteousness are blessed, because they will be filled with God's life.7"The merciful are blessed, for God will be merciful to them.8"The pure in heart are blessed, because they will see God, the Holy One.9"Those who make peace with God and with others are blessed, for they will be known as sons of God.10"Even those who are persecuted for doing what is right are blessed, because the Kingdom of heaven is given to them.11"You are blessed when people insult you, persecute you or accuse you falsely of all forms of evil because of your allegiance to Me.12You should rejoice and be glad because a rich reward awaits you in heaven. The prophets who lived before you were persecuted in the same way.Be salt and light13"You are to be salt for the world. However, if salt is stale it loses its taste, and what can you do to restore its saltiness? Nothing! It may as well be thrown away and trampled underfoot!14"You are to give light to the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden from sight.15Neither do people hide the light from a lamp under a basin. No, they place the lamp on a lamp-stand where it can give light to the whole house.16In the same way, your spiritual light is to be evident to all around you; so that they can see the good things you do and then praise your Father in heaven.Jesus came to fulfil God's words17"Do not imagine that I have come to do away with God's law or with what the prophets have said. No, I have not come to abolish God's words, but to fulfil them.18I tell you the truth, until this present heaven and earth disappear, not one word of what God has said or written will be removed from the law; everything God has said will be fulfilled.19So anyone who breaks even the least of these commandments and encourages others to do the same will be numbered among the least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys God's commands and teaches others to do likewise will be called great in God's Kingdom.20"So I tell you clearly, your righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees and teachers of the law; otherwise it is certain that you will not be part of the Kingdom of heaven!Attitudes of the heart21"You have heard that long ago people were told, 'Do not murder, for anyone guilty of murder will be judged accordingly.'22However, I tell you that simply to be angry with your brother is enough to bring you under judgment. It is also acknowledged that anybody who treats another with contempt is to be answerable to the council. But I tell you that anyone who condemns his brother as a fool will be in danger of being condemned himself, to the fire of hell!23-24"This being the case, when you come to the altar to offer a gift, if you realise that a brother holds something against you, leave your gift before the altar while you go first to be reconciled with that brother; then you can come and offer your gift!25"If your adversary takes you to court, settle matters with him quickly before your case is called; or you could find your destiny in the hands of the judge, who would then hand you over to the official who would throw you into prison.26I tell you the truth, if that is the case you will not be released until you have served your sentence in full and have paid back whatever you owe.27"You have heard that it has been said, 'Do not commit adultery!'28But I tell you clearly that just to look at a woman in a lustful way means that you have already committed adultery with her in your heart.29If you sin because of the way you use your eyes, it would be better to gouge one out and throw it away. For it is better for you to be without one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.30Similarly, if you sin because of the way you use your hands, it would be better to have one cut off and thrown away, if by losing one part of your body you avoid your whole body going to hell.31"It has been said that if anyone decides to divorce his wife, he has only to give her a certificate of divorce.32But I make it clear to you that the only grounds on which to divorce your wife is marital unfaithfulness. Under any other circumstances she would become an adulteress and the one who marries her an adulterer!Do not break your word33"You are also aware that long in the past people were told, 'Do not break your word, but keep the promises you have made to the Lord!'34I tell you clearly, do not swear to keep your word by calling on heaven as your witness, for this is God's throne.35Nor swear with the earth as your witness, for that is His footstool. Do not swear by Jerusalem, for this is the city of the great King.36Do not swear by your own head, for you cannot make even one of your hairs white or black naturally.37It is enough for your 'Yes' to mean 'Yes' and your 'No' to mean 'No'; only the evil one will tempt you to go beyond this.Love your neighbour38"You are also aware of the saying, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth!'39But I tell you not to retaliate when attacked by an evil person. So if someone slaps you on one cheek, offer him the other to hit.40If someone wants to sue you and take the shirt off your back, let him have whatever he wants and more besides.41If you are forced to carry a soldier's burden for one mile, do the totally unexpected and offer to go with him for two miles!42"This is the principle by which to live: Give to anyone who asks you and do not refuse someone who wants to borrow from you.43"You have heard the saying, 'Love your neighbour, but hate your enemy'.44-45What I tell you is different: Love even your enemies and pray for those who persecute and oppose you and do good to those who hate you, for this is the right way for the sons of your heavenly Father to act! He allows the sun He created to rise on the evil and the good alike. He sends rain on everyone, whether they are good or bad.46"If you love only those who love you, what reward would you expect for that? Even the tax collectors who swindle people do that, don't they?47And if you associate only with your fellow believers, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Even pagans act like that!48"So be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect!
Scripture quoted by permission. The passage above is taken from THE TRUTH VERSION. Copyright © 2009 by Colin Urquhart. All rights reserved worldwide. (The Truth New Testament)