1 When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. He sat down, and his disciples came to him. 2 Then he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets before you.

13 You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, how can it be made salty? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it shines on everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or a single stroke will pass from the Law until everything takes place. 19 So whoever sets aside 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 practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

21 You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder,’ and, ‘Whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment. Whoever says to his brother, ‘You emptyhead!’ will be liable to the council, and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the fire of hell. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms with your adversary quickly while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

27 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that everyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

31 It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I tell you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

33 Again, you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall fulfill your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I tell you not to swear 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 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let your word be ‘Yes, yes,’ or ‘No, no.’ Anything beyond 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.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him as well. 40 If someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go two with him. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

43 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing beyond others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Therefore, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.