HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 1234
MAT T H EW 5
4
5
6
7
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10
God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst
for justice,*
for they will be satisfied.
God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children
of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted
for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 “God blesses you when people mock you
and persecute you and lie about you and say all
sorts of evil things against you because you are
my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad!
For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted
in the same way.
Teaching about Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good
is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it
salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled
underfoot as worthless.
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city
on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one
lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket.
Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it
gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the
same way, let your good deeds shine out for all
to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Teaching about the Law
17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did
not come to abolish the law of Moses or the
• Lust
MAT T H E W 5 :2 7 -2 9
It is quite natural for men and women to
notice and be attracted to one another;
this goes with our nature as sexual
beings. Jesus was not condemning as
sin our natural interest in the opposite
sex. But he was warning that when we
move from interest into active fantasizing
about illicit sexual acts, we have crossed
the line into sinful lust. If your interest
goes beyond the first look and becomes
lust, confess it as sin and ask the Lord
to help you avoid that second look.
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writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until
heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its
purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least
commandment and teach others to do the same,
you will be called the least in the Kingdom of
Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and
teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness
is better than the righteousness of the teachers
of religious law and the Pharisees, you will
never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!
Teaching about Anger
21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told,
‘You must not murder. If you commit murder,
you are subject to judgment.’* 22 But I say, if you
are even 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.*
23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice* at the
altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,
24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and
be reconciled to that person. Then come and
offer your sacrifice to God.
25 “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. 26 And if that
happens, you surely won’t be free again until
you have paid the last penny.*
Teaching about Adultery
27 “You have heard the commandment that says,
‘You must not commit adultery.’* 28 But I say,
anyone who even looks at a woman with lust
has already committed adultery with her in his
heart. 29 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. 30 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.
Teaching about Divorce
31 “You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can
divorce his wife by merely giving her a written
5:6 Or for righteousness. 5:21 Exod 20:13; Deut 5:17.
5:22a Some manuscripts add without cause. 5:22b Greek
uses an Aramaic term of contempt: If you say to your brother,
‘Raca.’ 5:22c Greek if you say, ‘You fool.’ 5:22d Greek
Gehenna; also in 5:29, 30. 5:23 Greek gift; also in 5:24.
5:26 Greek the last kodrantes [i.e., quadrans]. 5:27 Exod
20:14; Deut 5:18. 5:29 Greek your right eye. 5:30 Greek
your right hand.