Matthew 5:21-31

21 "You have heard that people were told in the past, "Do not commit murder; anyone who does will be brought to trial.' ¹

22 But now I tell you: if you are angry ^[a] with your brother you will be brought to trial, if you call your brother "You good-for-nothing!' you will be brought before the Council, and if you call your brother a worthless fool you will be in danger of going to the fire of hell.

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

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

25 "If someone brings a lawsuit against you and takes you to court, settle the dispute while there is time, before you get to court. Once you are there, you will be turned over to the judge, who will hand you over to the police, and you will be put in jail.

26 There you will stay, I tell you, until you pay the last penny of your fine.

27 "You have heard that it was said, "Do not commit adultery.' ²

28 But now I tell you: anyone who looks at a woman and wants to possess her is guilty of committing adultery with her in his heart.

29 So if your right eye causes you to sin, take 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 hell. ³

30 If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is much better for you to lose one of your limbs than to have your whole body go off to hell. ⁴

31 "It was also said, "Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a written notice of divorce.' ⁵

Cross References

• 1. 5.21Exodus 20.13;Deuteronomy 5.17.
• 2. 5.27Exodus 20.14;Deuteronomy 5.18.
• 3. 5.29Matthew 18.9;Mark 9.47.
• 4. 5.30Matthew 18.8;Mark 9.43.
• 5. 5.31Deuteronomy 24.1-4;Matthew 19.7;Mark 10.4.

Footnotes

• [a]. if you are angry; [some manuscripts have] if without cause you are angry.