The Sermon On The Mount: The Beatitudes
1 Seeing the large crowds, Jesus went up in a mountain [i.e., probably a hill near Capernaum] and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him.
1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
1 (A)When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on (B)the (a)mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.
1 When He saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain,(A) and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on the hill. After taking his seat, his disciples came to him,
The Beatitudes
6 "Those persons who have an appetite for whatever is right will be blessed because they will be satisfied.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
6 "How blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because it is they who will be satisfied!
10 "Those persons who have suffered for trying to do what is right will be blessed because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
10 “Blessed are those who have been (M)persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for (N)theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
10 "How blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, because the kingdom from heaven belongs to them!
The Beatitudes
11 You will be blessed when people speak against you and harm you and say bad things about you that are untrue, because of [your devotion to] me.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
11 “Blessed are you when people (O)insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
11 “You are blessed when they insult and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me.
11 "How blessed are you whenever people insult you, persecute you, and say all sorts of evil things against you falsely because of me!
12 Be happy and very glad, for your reward in heaven will be great. For they persecuted the prophets [who lived] before you in the same way.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for (P)in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted(L) the prophets who were before you.(M)
12 Rejoice and be extremely glad, because your reward in heaven is great! That's how they persecuted the prophets who came before you."
The Sermon On The Mount: Salt And Light
13 "You people are [like] salt on the earth. But if salt loses its flavoring ability, how will it ever get it back again? From then on it would be good for nothing except to be thrown out onto the roadway and walked on by people. [Note: This was mined salt which, when losing its "saltiness" due to exposure to the sun or rain, was simply disposed of by being dumped onto the roadway where people walked].
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but (Q)if the salt has become tasteless, how (e)can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men.(N)
13 "You are the salt of the world. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty again? It's good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled on by people.
15 Neither does a person light an [olive oil] lamp and place it under a bushel-sized container, but on a stand where it can illuminate everything in the house.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
15 (S)nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a (g)basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
15 No one lights a lamp(P) and puts it under a basket,(b) but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house.(Q)
15 People don't light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In that same way, you should allow your light [i.e., influence] to shine in front of people, so that they will see your good deeds and [be led to] honor your Father in heaven.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may (T)see your good works, and (U)glorify your Father who is in heaven.
16 In the same way, let your light shine(c) before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.(R)
16 In the same way, let your light shine before people in such a way that they will see your good actions and glorify your Father in heaven."
The Sermon On The Mount: The Law And The Prophets Fulfilled
17 "Do not think that I came to do away with the law of Moses or the prophets. I did not come to do away with them, but to fulfill them [i.e., their requirements and predictions].
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the (V)Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.
17 “Don’t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.(S)
17 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I didn't come to destroy them, but to fulfill them,
18 For it is true when I say, not one little letter or even a portion of a letter will be removed from the law of Moses until everything is accomplished [that is required by them]. [When that happens, then] heaven and earth will pass away [i.e., be destroyed. See II Peter 3:12].
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
18 For truly I say to you, (W)until heaven and earth pass away, not (h)the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
18 For I assure you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter(d) or one stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all things are accomplished.
18 because I tell all of you with certainty that until heaven and earth disappear, not one letter or one stroke of a letter will disappear from the Law until everything has been accomplished.
19 Therefore, whoever disregards one of these least [significant] requirements [of the law of Moses] and teaches others to [disregard them], he will be considered the least [significant person] in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys them and teaches [others to obey] them, will be considered important in the kingdom of heaven.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
19 Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches (i)others to do the same, shall be called least (X)in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever (j)keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches people to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.(T)
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 from heaven. But whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom from heaven
20 For I say to you people, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven unless what you do that is right excels what the experts in the law of Moses and the Pharisees [i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion] do that is right.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
20 “For I say to you that unless your (Y)righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
20 because I tell you, unless your righteousness greatly exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom from heaven!"
The Sermon On The Mount: Anger Toward Others
21 "You have heard what was said to the people in time's past [Exodus 20:13], 'You must not murder,' and whoever does will be subject to judgment.
21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
21 “(Z)You have heard that (k)the ancients were told, ‘(AA)You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be (l)liable to (AB)the court.’
21 “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors,(e) Do not murder,(U)(f) and whoever murders will be subject to judgment.(V)
21 "You have heard that it was told those who lived long ago, "You are not to commit murder,' and, "Whoever murders will be subject to punishment.'
22 But I say to you that every person who is angry toward his brother will be subject to judgment; and whoever calls his brother 'stupid idiot' is subject to [being sentenced by] the [Jewish] Council, and whoever says, 'go to hell' is subject to going to the fire of hell [himself].
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be (m)guilty before (AC)the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘(n)You good-for-nothing,’ shall be (o)guilty before (p)(AD)the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be (q)guilty enough to go into the (r)(AE)fiery hell.
22 But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother(g) will be subject to judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Fool!’(h) will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But whoever says, ‘You moron!’ will be subject to hellfire.(i)(W)
22 But I say to you, anyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be subject to punishment. And whoever says to his brother "Raka!' will be subject to the Council. And whoever says, "You fool!' will be subject to hell fire.
23 Therefore, if you are offering your [sacrificial] gift on the Altar and [just then] you remember that your brother has a grievance against you,
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
23 Therefore if you are (AF)presenting your (s)offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
23 So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you,
23 "So if you are presenting your gift at the altar and remember there that your brother has something against you,
24 [stop right there]; leave your gift at the Altar and [immediately] go to that brother and settle the matter first, before returning to offer your gift.
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
24 leave your (t)offering there before the altar and go; first be (AG)reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your (u)offering.
24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
24 leave your gift there before the altar and first go and be reconciled to your brother. Then come and offer your gift.
25 [In another case], come to terms with the person suing you as soon as possible, [even] on your way [to court], so he does not take you before the judge, and then the judge turn you over to the officer and you be sent to prison.
25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
25 (AH)Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
25 Reach a settlement quickly with your adversary while you’re on the way with him, or your adversary will hand you over to the judge, the judge to(j) the officer, and you will be thrown into prison.(X)
25 Come to terms quickly with your opponent while you are on the way to court, or your opponent may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison.
26 It is true when I say to you, you will not be released from there until you have paid the last coin. [Note: The coin mentioned here amounted to about ten minutes' worth of a farm laborer's pay, or a little over one dollar in 1994].
26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
26 I tell you with certainty, you will not get out of there until you pay back the last dollar!"
The Sermon On The Mount: Adultery And Lust
28 But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with an improper sexual desire for her [body], has already been sexually unfaithful to his mate in his heart.
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman (AL)with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
28 But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.(Z)
28 But I say to you, anyone who stares at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29 And if your right eye is what ensnares you into falling away [from God], gouge it out and throw it away from you. For it would be better for you to lose a part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. [Note: This is the word "Gehenna," and because of its Old Testament connotation of burning bodies, II Chron. 33:6, it is used figuratively here, and elsewhere, to describe the place of future, final punishment of the wicked].
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
29 (AM)If your right eye makes you (w)stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you (x)to lose one of the parts of your body, (y)than for your whole body to be thrown into (z)(AN)hell.
29 If your right eye causes you to sin,(AA) gouge it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.(AB)
29 So if your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your body parts than to have your whole body thrown into hell.
30 And if your right hand is what ensnares you into falling away [from God], cut it off and throw it away from you. For it would be better for you to lose a part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30 (AO)If your right hand makes you (aa)stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you (ab)to lose one of the parts of your body, (ac)than for your whole body to go into (ad)(AP)hell.
30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to go into hell!
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 of your body parts than to have your whole body go into hell."
The Sermon On The Mount: Divorce
31 It was also said [Deut. 24:1-3], 'Whoever divorces his wife, let it be done with a [legally binding] divorce decree, which he must give her.'
31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
31 “It was also said, Whoever divorces(AC) his wife must give her a written notice of divorce.(AD)(m)
31 "It was also said, "Whoever divorces his wife must give her a written notice of divorce.'
32 But I say to you, every person who divorces his wife makes her become sexually unfaithful to him [i.e., since she will probably marry someone else], unless the reason for the divorce is that she had [already] become sexually unfaithful to him. And whoever marries a woman who has been divorced commits sexual sin with her [i.e., because she is still rightfully married to her first husband].
32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
32 (AR)but I say to you that everyone who (ae)divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a (af)divorced woman commits adultery.
32 But I tell you, everyone who divorces his wife, except in a case of sexual immorality,(n) causes her to commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.(AE)
32 But I say to you, any man who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
The Sermon On The Mount: Taking Oaths
33 "Again, you have heard what was said to people in time's past [Lev. 19:12], 'You must not go back on your oaths, but [rather] fulfill the oaths you take to the Lord.'
33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
33 “Again, (AS)you have heard that (ag)the ancients were told, ‘(ah)(AT)You shall not (ai)make false vows, but shall fulfill your (aj)vows to the Lord.’
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to our ancestors,(o) You must not break your oath, but you must keep your oaths to the Lord.(AF)(p)
33 "Again, you have heard that it was told those who lived long ago, "You must not swear an oath falsely,' but, "You must fulfill your oaths to the Lord.'
34 But I say to you, do not take any oath, [saying] 'by heaven,' for it is God's throne;
34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
34 But I tell you, don’t take an oath at all: either by heaven, because it is God’s throne;
34 But I tell you not to swear at all, neither by heaven, because it is God's throne,
35 nor 'by earth,' for it is the footstool for His feet; nor 'by Jerusalem,' for it is the city of the great King [i.e., God].
35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
35 or by the earth, for it is the (AW)footstool of His feet, or (ak)by Jerusalem, for it is (AX)the city of the great King.
35 or by the earth, because it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King.(AG)
35 nor by the earth, because it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the Great King.
36 You should not take an oath, [saying] 'by my head,' for you cannot make a single hair white or black.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
36 Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.
36 Neither should you swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black.
36 Nor should you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.
37 But you should just say 'yes' [when you mean] yes, and 'no' [when you mean] no. Whatever you say beyond these [i.e., enforcing them by oaths] is of the evil one [i.e., the devil].
37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
37 But let your word ‘yes’ be ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no.’(q) Anything more than this is from the evil one.(AH)
37 Instead, let your message be "Yes' for "Yes' and "No' for "No.' Anything more than that comes from the evil one."
The Sermon On The Mount: Retaliation
38 "You have heard what was said [Exodus 21:24], 'Take an eye [from someone] if he takes yours, and take a tooth [from someone] if he takes yours.'
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
38 "You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
39 But I tell you, do not offer resistance to an evil person, but whoever hits you on the right side of the face, allow him [to hit you] on the other side also.
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
39 But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but (BB)whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
39 But I tell you, don’t resist(s) an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.(AJ)
39 But I tell you not to resist an evildoer. On the contrary, whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well.
40 And if anyone takes you to court in order to take your shirt away from you, let him have your coat also [i.e., if he insists on it].
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
40 As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt,(t) let him have your coat(u) as well.
40 If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat as well.
41 Whoever requires you to go one mile, [be willing to] go with him two miles. [Note: The Romans were permitted by law to require a Jew to carry their burden for one mile only].
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go two with him.
42 Give to the person who asks you [for something], and do not refuse to lend to the person who wants to borrow something from you.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
42 Give to the person who asks you for something, and do not turn away from the person who wants to borrow something from you."
The Sermon On The Mount: Love For Enemies
43 "You have heard what was said [Lev. 19:18], 'You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
43 “(BD)You have heard that it was said, ‘(BE)You shall love your neighbor (BF)and hate your enemy.’
43 "You have heard that it was said, "You must love your neighbor' and hate your enemy.
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
44 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,
45 in order to be [true] children of your Father in heaven, for He makes His sun to rise on evil [as well] as on good people. He [also] sends rain on those who live right [as well] as on those who do not live right.
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
45 so that you may (ap)be (BH)sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
45 so that you may be(z) sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.(AN)
45 so that you will become children of your Father in heaven, because he makes his sun rise on both evil and good people, and he lets rain fall on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46 For if you love [only] those who love you, what reward will you get for that? Do not even the publicans [Note: These were people with a bad reputation for their dishonest tax collecting activities] do that much?
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
46 For (BI)if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don't they?
47 And if you greet [cordially] your brothers only, what are you doing more than other people? Do not even the [unconverted] Gentiles do that much?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
47 If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing out of the ordinary?(aa)(AO) Don’t even the Gentiles(ab) do the same?
47 And if you greet only your relatives, that's no great thing you're doing, is it? Even the unbelievers do the same, don't they?