Matthew 5:16-26

16 In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven.
17 "Don't think that I have come to destroy the law of Moses or the teaching of the prophets. I have not come to destroy them but to bring about what they said.
18 I tell you the truth, nothing will disappear from the law until heaven and earth are gone. Not even the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will be lost until everything has happened.
19 Whoever refuses to obey any command and teaches other people not to obey that command will be the least important in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys the commands and teaches other people to obey them will be great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 I tell you that if you are no more obedient than the teachers of the law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
21 "You have heard that it was said to our people long ago, 'You must not murder anyone. Anyone who murders another will be judged.'
22 But I tell you, if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be judged. If you say bad things to a brother or sister, you will be judged by the council. And if you call someone a fool, you will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23 "So when you offer your gift to God at the altar, and you remember that your brother or sister has something against you,
24 leave your gift there at the altar. Go and make peace with that person, and then come and offer your gift.
25 "If your enemy is taking you to court, become friends quickly, before you go to court. Otherwise, your enemy might turn you over to the judge, and the judge might give you to a guard to put you in jail.
26 I tell you the truth, you will not leave there until you have paid everything you owe.

Related Articles

Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.