Immerse: Messiah - Flipbook - Page 332
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IMMERSE
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MESSIAH
5:23-45
angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an
idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse
someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.
“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you
suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your
sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come
and offer your sacrifice to God.
“When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your
differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the
judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into
prison. And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have
paid the last penny.
“You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit
adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So if your eye—even your
good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for
you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown
into hell. And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin,
cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body
than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
“You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely
giving her a written notice of divorce.’ But I say that a man who divorces his
wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And
anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.
“You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break
your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ But I say,
do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s
throne. And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool.
And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King.
Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black.
Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from
the evil one.
“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an
evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek
also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your
coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it
two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who
want to borrow.
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your
enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.
