Matthew 5 (NMV)
1 And seeing the crowd, He went up on a hill. and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him.
2 Then Jesus began to teach them, saying:
3 "Favored by God are those who recognize their spiritual need and depend completely on Him, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Favored by God are those who are deeply troubled for sinning against Him, for they shall be comforted.
5 Favored by God are those who trust in Him rather than their own power to defend against injustice, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Favored by God are those who hunger and thirst to live in agreement with God's standards, for they will be filled.
7 Favored by God are those who show compassion to people in great need, for they shall receive the same from Him.
8 Favored by God are those with pure hearts, for they will see God.
9 Favored by God are those who work for peace, for they will be called children of God.
10 Favored by God are those who endure hostility and mistreatment for doing what is right by God's standards, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Favored by God are you whenever others insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
12 Be cheerful, and of exceptional joy: for great is your reward in heaven: just as the prophets that were persecuted before you.
13 You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer useful to anyone, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people.
14 You are the source of light for the world. A city that is spread out over a hill cannot be hid.
15 No one lights a lamp, and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand; and it shines light over all that are in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine in front of others, so they may see your good works and give praise to your Father in heaven.
17 Do not think that I have come to do away with the Law of Moses or the Prophets; I have not come to do away with them, but to fulfill them.
18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth come to an end, not one iota [the smallest letter] or one keraia [the smallest mark] shall disappear from the Law of Moses until everything is accomplished.
19 Whoever makes less strict even one of these commandments, thinking it to be of lesser importance, and teaches others to do the same, will be considered least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever follows and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say to you, That unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21 You have heard that it was said to those of long ago, 'You shall not murder, and whoever commits murder shall be accountable to the court.'
22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without legitimate reason will be accountable to the court. Whoever says to his brother, Raca [a disrespectful term, from Aramaic], shall be held liable by the the supreme council of the Jewish nation: but whoever shall say, 'You fool who is corrupt and godless', will be in danger of the fire of everlasting punishment.
23 So if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 leave your offering there in front of the altar, and go; first restore your relationship with your brother, then return and present your offering.
25 Settle matters with your accuser quickly, even while you are on the way with him; otherwise the accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
26 I tell you, you will not get out of there until you have paid the last kodrantes [the smallest Roman coin, worth only a tiny fraction of a day’s wage].
27 You have heard that it was said to those of long ago, You shall not have sexual relations with someone who is not your spouse:
28 But I say to you, That whoever looks at a woman with the intent to lust after her has already committed sexual sin with her in his thoughts.
29 And if your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into eternal punishment.
30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into eternal punishment.
31 It has been said, 'Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of legal divorce.'
32 But I say to you, That whoever shall divorce his wife, except for the cause of adultry, makes her commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
33 Again, ye have heard that it was said to those of long ago, 'You shall not make a promise or oath and then fail to uphold it, but shall fulfill your promises to the Lord.'
34 But I say to you, do not swear an oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is God's throne:
35 Nor by the earth; for it is His footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shall you swear by your own head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black.
37 Let your words be simply 'Yes' for yes and 'No' for no; anything beyond this comes from wickedness.
38 You have heard that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say to you, do not retaliate against an evil person. Instead, if someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
40 And if anyone takes you to court to take your tunic [a simple robe-like garment worn next to the skin], let him have your coat as well.
41 And if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn away the one who wants to borrow from you and repay it.
43 You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
44 But I say to you, love your enemies, wish good upon those who wish evil upon you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who insult and persecute you.
45 So that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for He makes His sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on both those who live in agreement with His ways and those who do not.
46 For if you love only 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 more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do that?
48 Therefore, be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."