Bible Verse Lookup

Sermon on the Mount: The Beatitudes

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. He sat down, and his disciples gathered around him.

Then he spoke and began to teach them:

Fortunate are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Fortunate are those who mourn; they shall be comforted.

Fortunate are the gentle; they shall inherit the land.

Fortunate are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.

Fortunate are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.

Fortunate are those with pure hearts, for they shall see God.

Fortunate are those who work for peace; they shall be called children of God.

Fortunate are those who are persecuted for the cause of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Fortunate are you when people insult and persecute you and speak all kinds of evil against you because you are my followers.

Be glad and rejoice, for a great reward awaits you in God. That is how they persecuted the prophets who lived before you.

Salt and Light. Image of the Disciples: Salt and Light

You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It has become useless. It can only be thrown away, and people will trample on it.

You are the light of the world. A city built on a mountain cannot be hidden.

No one lights a lamp and then covers it; instead, it is placed on a lampstand where it provides light for everyone in the house.

In the same way, your light must shine before others so that they may see the good you do and praise your Father in heaven.

Jesus and the Law

Do not think that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets. I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

I tell you this: as long as heaven and earth last, not the smallest letter or dot in the law will change until everything is fulfilled.

So then, whoever breaks the least important of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys them and teaches others to do the same will be great in the kingdom of heaven.

I tell you, if your sense of right and wrong isn’t sharper than that of the lawyers and the Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Regarding Offense

You have heard that it was said to our ancestors: Do not murder; anyone who murders will face judgment.

But now I tell you: anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will face judgment. Anyone who insults a brother or sister is in danger of being brought before the council. And anyone who calls a brother or sister “Fool!” is in danger of being thrown into the fiery Gehenna.

So, if you are about to offer your gift at the altar and remember that your brother has something against you,

leave your gift there in front of the altar; go at once and make peace with your brother, then come back and offer your gift to God.

Don’t forget this: reconcile with your opponent quickly when you’re together on the way to court. Otherwise, he will turn you over to the judge, who will send you to the police, and you’ll be put in jail.

There you will stay until you’ve paid the last penny.

Regarding Divorce

You have heard that it was said: Do not commit adultery.

But I tell you this: anyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

So, if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away! It is much better for you to lose a part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna.

If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna.

Regarding Oaths

It was also said: Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a written notice of divorce.

But I tell you this: if a man divorces his wife, except for the reason of an unlawful union, he causes her to commit adultery. And the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

You have also heard that people were told in the past: Do not break your oath; an oath sworn to the Lord must be kept.

But I tell you this: do not take oaths. Do not swear by the heavens, for they are God’s throne;

nor by the earth, because it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great king.

Do not even swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black.

Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more than this comes from the evil one.

Regarding Revenge

You have heard that it was said: An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

But I tell you this: do not oppose evil with evil. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn and offer the other.

If someone sues you in court for your shirt, give him your coat as well.

If someone forces you to go one mile, go two miles with him.

Give when asked and do not turn your back on anyone who wants to borrow from you.

You have heard that it was said: Love your neighbor and do not do good to your enemy.

But this I tell you: love your enemies; and pray for those who persecute you,

so that you may be children of your Father in Heaven. For he makes his sun rise on both the wicked and the good, and he gives rain to both the just and the unjust.

If you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Don’t even tax collectors do the same?

And if you are only friendly to your friends, what makes that so exceptional? Don’t even the pagans do that? As for you, be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.