The Setting of the Sermon on the Mount
When Jesus noticed the large crowds of people gathering, he climbed up onto a mountainside and sat down there. His followers came and gathered around him, and then he began to teach them by saying:
The Beatitudes
"God brings his special favor to those who recognize their spiritual poverty, because heaven's kingdom belongs to them. God brings his special favor to those who grieve, because they will receive comfort. God brings his special favor to those who are gentle and humble, because they will inherit the earth. God brings his special favor to those who desperately long for what is right and just, because they will be completely satisfied. God brings his special favor to those who show mercy to others, because mercy will be shown to them. God brings his special favor to those whose hearts are clean and undivided, because they will see God face to face. God brings his special favor to those who work to bring peace, because they will be called God's own children. God brings his special favor to those who suffer persecution for doing what is right, because heaven's kingdom belongs to them. You are specially favored when people mock you, hurt you, and spread lies about you because you follow me. When this happens, be joyful and celebrate, because your reward in heaven is great. Remember that the prophets who came before you were treated in exactly the same way."
Salt and Light
You are the salt of the earth. But what happens if salt loses its saltiness? How can you make it salty again? Once it has lost its flavor, it becomes worthless—good for nothing except to be thrown outside where people walk on it and crush it underfoot. You are the light of the world. Think of a city built on top of a hill—everyone can see it from miles away because it cannot be hidden. And when someone lights a lamp, they don't cover it with a bowl or basket. Instead, they put it up on a lampstand where it can shine brightly and give light to everyone in the entire house. This is exactly how you should live. Let your light shine brightly in front of other people. When they see the good things you do, they will praise and honor your Father who is in heaven.
The Fulfillment of the Law
Don't think that I came to destroy the Law of Moses or the teachings of the prophets. I didn't come to destroy them—I came to complete them and make them whole. I'm telling you the truth: until the sky and earth disappear, not even the smallest letter or tiny pen stroke will vanish from God's Law until everything it promises has happened. So whoever breaks even the smallest of these commands and teaches other people to break them too will be considered the least important person in God's kingdom. But whoever obeys these commands and teaches others to obey them will be considered great in God's kingdom. Here's what I'm telling you: unless you live more righteously than the religious teachers and Pharisees do, you will never be allowed into God's kingdom at all.
Teaching on Murder and Anger
You have heard the ancient teaching that said, "Do not murder," and that anyone who commits murder will face judgment in court. But I am telling you something more: anyone who is angry with his brother will also face judgment. And anyone who calls his brother "worthless" will have to answer to the high court. But anyone who calls someone "you fool" will face the fire of hell itself. So when you are bringing your offering to present it at the altar, and you suddenly remember that your brother holds something against you, leave your gift right there in front of the altar. Go first and make things right with your brother, and then come back to present your gift. If someone is taking you to court, settle the matter quickly while you are still walking there together. If you don't, he might hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth: you will not get out of that prison until you have paid back every last cent you owe.
Teaching on Adultery and Lust
You have heard the teaching that says, "Do not commit adultery." But I tell you something more: any man who looks at a woman with lustful desire has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It would be better for you to lose one part of your body than to have your entire body thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It would be better for you to lose one part of your body than to have your entire body go into hell.
Teaching on Divorce
Jesus continued his teaching by addressing another matter that had been discussed among the people. "You have heard it said that when a man divorces his wife, he must give her official divorce papers," he said. "But I tell you something different. Any man who divorces his wife for any reason other than unfaithfulness causes her to become an adulteress. And any man who marries a woman who has been divorced also commits adultery."
Teaching on Oaths
Jesus continued teaching, saying, "You have heard the old teaching that was given to your ancestors: 'Don't break the promises you make under oath, but keep every vow you make to the Lord.' But I'm telling you something different—don't make oaths at all. Don't swear by heaven, because heaven is God's throne. Don't swear by the earth, because the earth is God's footstool. Don't swear by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. And don't swear by your own head, because you don't have the power to make even one hair on your head white or black. Instead, simply let your word be enough. When you mean yes, say yes. When you mean no, say no. Anything beyond this comes from evil."
Teaching on Retaliation
You have heard the old teaching that says, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I am telling you something different: do not fight back against someone who does evil to you. If someone hits you on your right cheek, turn your face so they can hit the other cheek too. If someone takes you to court wanting to take away your shirt, give them your coat as well. If someone forces you to carry their load for one mile, carry it for two miles instead. When someone asks you for something, give it to them. When someone wants to borrow from you, do not turn them away.
Teaching on Love for Enemies
You have heard people say, "Love those who live near you, but hate your enemies." But I am telling you something different: love your enemies and pray for those who hurt you and chase you down. When you do this, you will truly be children of your Father in heaven. He makes his sun shine on evil people and good people alike, and he sends rain to fall on those who do right and those who do wrong. If you only love the people who love you back, what reward should you expect for that? Even the tax collectors, who everyone despises, love the people who love them. And if you only show kindness to your own family and friends, how are you any different from anyone else? Even people who don't know God do exactly the same thing. So you must be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.