Matthew 5:16-26

16 In the [same] way let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

The Sermon on the Mount: The Law and the Prophets Fulfilled

17 "Do not think that I have come to destroy the law or the prophets. I have not come to destroy [them] but to fulfill [them].

18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one tiny letter or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all takes place.

19 Therefore whoever abolishes one of the least of these commandments and teaches people to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever keeps [them] and teaches [them], this person will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I say to you that unless your righteousness greatly surpasses [that] of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter into the kingdom of heaven.

The Sermon on the Mount: Anger Toward Others

21 "You have heard that it was said to the {people of old}, 'Do not commit murder,' and 'whoever commits murder will be subject to judgment.'

22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry at his brother will be subject to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, 'Stupid fool!' will be subject to the council, and whoever says, 'Obstinate fool!' will be subject to fiery hell.

23 Therefore if you present your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,

24 leave your gift there before the altar and first go be reconciled to your brother, and then come [and] present your gift.

25 {Settle the case quickly with your accuser} while you are with him on the way, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.

26 Truly I say to you, you will never come out of there until you have paid back the last penny!

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "ancients"
• [b]. A quotation from Exod 20:13; Deut 5:17
• [c]. Greek "Raca," a term of verbal abuse involving lack of intelligence
• [d]. Perhaps with the idea of obstinate, godless foolishness; some take the word to be a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew word for "rebel" (Deut 21:18, 20)
• [e]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("come") has been translated as a finite verb
• [f]. Literally "be making friends quickly with your accuser"