God's New Bible

The Gospel According to St. Matthew

⭑ Geneva Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

⮜ Back | Contents | Next ⮞

- Chapter 5 -

1
And when he sawe the multitude, he went vp into a mountaine: and when he was set, his disciples came to him.
2
And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,

The Beatitudes

(Psalm 1:1–6; Luke 6:20–23)
3
Blessed are the poore in spirit, for theirs is the kingdome of heauen.
4
Blessed are they that mourne: for they shall be comforted.
5
Blessed are the meeke: for they shall inherite the earth.
6
Blessed are they which hunger and thirst for righteousnes: for they shalbe filled.
7
Blessed are the mercifull: for they shall obteine mercie.
8
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9
Blessed are the peace makers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10
Blessed are they which suffer persecution for righteousnes sake: for theirs is the kingdome of heauen.
11
Blessed shall ye be when men reuile you, and persecute you, and say all maner of euill against you for my sake, falsely.
12
Reioyce and be glad, for great is your reward in heauen: for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you.

Salt and Light

(Mark 9:49–50; Luke 14:34–35; Philippians 2:12–18)
13
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt haue lost his sauour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be troden vnder foote of men.
14
Ye are the light of the world. A citie that is set on an hill, cannot be hid.
15
Neither doe men light a candel, and put it vnder a bushel, but on a candlesticke, and it giueth light vnto all that are in the house.
16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good workes, and glorifie your Father which is in heauen.

The Fulfillment of the Law

17
Think not that I am come to destroy the Lawe, or the Prophets. I am not come to destroy them, but to fulfill them.
18
For truely I say vnto you, Till heauen, and earth perish, one iote or one title of the Law shall not scape, till all things be fulfilled.
19
Whosoeuer therefore shall breake one of these least commandements, and teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdome of heauen: but whosoeuer shall obserue and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdome of heauen.
20
For I say vnto you, except your righteousnes exceede the righteousnes of the Scribes and Pharises, ye shall not enter into the kingdome of heauen.

Anger and Reconciliation

(Luke 12:57–59)
21
Ye haue heard that it was sayd vnto them of the olde time, Thou shalt not kill: for whosoeuer killeth shalbe culpable of iudgement.
22
But I say vnto you, whosoeuer is angry with his brother vnaduisedly, shalbe culpable of iudgment. And whosoeuer sayth vnto his brother, Raca, shalbe worthy to be punished by the Councill. And whosoeuer shall say, Foole, shalbe worthy to be punished with hell fire.
23
If then thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remembrest that thy brother hath ought against thee,
24
Leaue there thine offring before the altar, and goe thy way: first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25
Agree with thine aduersarie quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him, lest thine aduersarie deliuer thee to the Iudge, and the Iudge deliuer thee to ye sergeant, and thou be cast into prison.
26
Verely I say vnto thee, thou shalt not come out thence, till thou hast payed the vtmost farthing.

Adultery

(Leviticus 18:1–30)
27
Ye haue heard that it was sayd to them of olde time, Thou shalt not commit adulterie.
28
But I say vnto you, that whosoeuer looketh on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adulterie with her already in his heart.
29
Wherefore if thy right eye cause thee to offend, plucke it out, and cast it from thee: for better it is for thee, that one of thy members perish, then that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30
Also if thy right hand make thee to offend, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for better it is for thee that one of thy members perish, then that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Divorce

(Deuteronomy 24:1–5; Luke 16:18)
31
It hath bene sayd also, Whosoeuer shall put away his wife, let him giue her a bill of diuorcement.
32
But I say vnto you, whosoeuer shall put away his wife (except it be for fornication) causeth her to commit adulterie: and whosoeuer shall marrie her that is diuorced, committeth adulterie.

Oaths and Vows

(Numbers 30:1–16)
33
Againe, ye haue heard that it was sayd to them of old time, Thou shalt not forsweare thy selfe, but shalt performe thine othes to the Lord.
34
But I say vnto you, Sweare not at all, neither by heauen, for it is the throne of God:
35
Nor yet by the earth: for it is his footestoole: neither by Hierusalem: for it is the citie of the great King.
36
Neither shalt thou sweare by thine head, because thou canst not make one heare white or blacke.
37
But let your communication be Yea, yea: Nay, nay. For whatsoeuer is more then these, commeth of euill.

Love Your Enemies

(Leviticus 24:17–23; Luke 6:27–36)
38
Ye haue heard that it hath bene sayd, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.
39
But I say vnto you, Resist not euill: but whosoeuer shall smite thee on thy right cheeke, turne to him the other also.
40
And if any man wil sue thee at the law, and take away thy coate, let him haue thy cloke also.
41
And whosoeuer will compell thee to goe a mile, goe with him twaine.
42
Giue to him that asketh, and from him that would borowe of thee, turne not away.
43
Ye haue heard that it hath bin said, Thou shalt loue thy neighbour, and hate your enemie.
44
But I say vnto you, Loue your enemies: blesse them that curse you: doe good to them that hate you, and pray for them which hurt you, and persecute you,
45
That ye may be the children of your father that is in heauen: for he maketh his sunne to arise on the euill, and the good, and sendeth raine on the iust, and vniust.
46
For if ye loue them, which loue you, what rewarde shall you haue? Doe not the Publicanes euen the same?
47
And if ye be friendly to your brethren onely, what singular thing doe ye? doe not euen the Publicanes likewise?
48
Ye shall therefore be perfit, as your Father which is in heauen, is perfite.
1
Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
2
He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,

The Beatitudes

(Psalm 1:1–6; Luke 6:20–23)
3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. (a)
4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (b)
5
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. (c) (d)
6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
7
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
10
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
11
“Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12
Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Salt and Light

(Mark 9:49–50; Luke 14:34–35; Philippians 2:12–18)
13
“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.
14
You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.
15
Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.
16
Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

The Fulfillment of the Law

17
“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18
For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter (e) or one tiny pen stroke (f) shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.
19
Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
20
For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Anger and Reconciliation

(Luke 12:57–59)
21
“You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ (g) and ‘Whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’
22
But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause (h) will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ (i) will be in danger of the council. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna. (j)
23
“If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you,
24
leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
25
Agree with your adversary quickly while you are with him on the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.
26
Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there until you have paid the last penny. (k)

Adultery

(Leviticus 18:1–30)
27
“You have heard that it was said, (l) ‘You shall not commit adultery;’ (m)
28
but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29
If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. (n)
30
If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. (o)

Divorce

(Deuteronomy 24:1–5; Luke 16:18)
31
“It was also said, ‘Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,’ (p)
32
but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.

Oaths and Vows

(Numbers 30:1–16)
33
“Again you have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,’ (q)
34
but I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God;
35
nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
36
Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black.
37
But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.

Love Your Enemies

(Leviticus 24:17–23; Luke 6:27–36)
38
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ (r)
39
But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40
If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.
41
Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
42
Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.
43
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor (s) and hate your enemy.’ (t)
44
But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
45
that you may be children 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.
46
For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
47
If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors (u) do the same?
48
Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Footnotes

(a)5:3 ℘ Isaiah 57:15; 66:2
(b)5:4 ℘ Isaiah 61:2; 66:10,13
(c)5:5 or, land.
(d)5:5 ℘ Psalms 37:11
(e)5:18 literally, iota
(f)5:18 or, serif
(g)5:21 ℘ Exodus 20:13
(h)5:22 NU omits “without a cause”.
(i)5:22 “Raca” is an Aramaic insult, related to the word for “empty” and conveying the idea of empty-headedness.
(j)5:22 or, Hell
(k)5:26 literally, kodrantes. A kodrantes was a small copper coin worth about 2 lepta (widow’s mites)—not enough to buy very much of anything.
(l)5:27 TR adds “to the ancients”.
(m)5:27 ℘ Exodus 20:14
(n)5:29 or, Hell
(o)5:30 or, Hell
(p)5:31 ℘ Deuteronomy 24:1
(q)5:33 ℘ Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21; Ecclesiastes 5:4
(r)5:38 ℘ Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21
(s)5:43 ℘ Leviticus 19:18
(t)5:43 not in the Bible, but see Qumran Manual of Discipline Ix, 21-26
(u)5:47 NU reads “Gentiles” instead of “tax collectors”.
⮜ Back | Contents | Next ⮞