Matthew 5:1-20

1 When He saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain, and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.

2 Then^[a] He began to teach them, saying:

The Beatitudes

3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

4 Blessed are those who mourn, because they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the gentle, because they will inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they will be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful, because they will be shown mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, because they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

11 "Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me.

12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Believers Are Salt and Light

13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It's no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men.

14 "You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, ^[b] but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house.

16 In the same way, let your light shine ^[c] before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Christ Fulfills the Law

17 "Don't assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

18 For I assure you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter ^[d] or one stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all things are accomplished.

19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches people to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever practices and teaches [these commandments] will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit Then opening His mouth
• [b]. A large basket used to measure grain
• [c]. Or way, your light must shine
• [d]. Or not one iota; iota is the smallest letter of the Gk alphabet.