Matthew 5:25-48
5:25 Reach agreement
quickly with your accuser while on the way to court,
or he
may hand you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the warden, and you will be thrown into prison.
5:26 I tell you the truth,
you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny!
Adultery
5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’
5:28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
5:29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell.
5:30 If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into hell.
Divorce
5:31 “It was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a legal document.’
5:32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Oaths
5:33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to an older generation, ‘Do not break an oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’
5:34 But I say to you, do not take oaths at all – not by heaven, because it is the throne of God,
5:35 not by earth, because it is his footstool, and not by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King.
5:36 Do not take an oath by your head, because you are not able to make one hair white or black.
5:37 Let your word be ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no.’ More than this is from the evil one.
Retaliation
5:38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
5:39 But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer. But whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well.
5:40 And if someone wants to sue you and to take your tunic, give him your coat also.
5:41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
5:42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies
5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’
5:44 But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you,
5:45 so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don’t they?
5:47 And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they?
5:48 So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.