Matthew 5:31-46

Divorce

31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’^[a]

32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’

34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;

35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.

36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.

37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.^[b]

Eye for Eye

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’^[c]

39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.

40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.

41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.

42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[d]  and hate your enemy.’

44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?

Cross References

• 1. Deuteronomy 24:1-4
• 2. S Luke 16:18
• 3. Leviticus 19:12
• 4. Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21; Matthew 23:16-22
• 5. James 5:12
• 6. Isaiah 66:1; Matthew 23:22
• 7. Psalms 48:2
• 8. James 5:12
• 9. Matthew 6:13; Matthew 13:19,38; John 17:15; Ephesians 6:16; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 1 John 2:13,14; 1 John 3:12; 1 John 5:18,19
• 10. Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21
• 11. Luke 6:29; Romans 12:17,19; 1 Corinthians 6:7; 1 Peter 3:9
• 12. Deuteronomy 15:8; Luke 6:30
• 13. Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 19:19; Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8
• 14. Deuteronomy 23:6; Psalms 139:21,22
• 15. Luke 6:27,28; Luke 23:34; John 15:20; Acts 7:60; Romans 8:35; Romans 12:14; 1 Corinthians 4:12; 1 Peter 2:23
• 16. ver 9; Luke 6:35; S Romans 8:14
• 17. Job 25:3
• 18. Luke 6:32

Footnotes

• [a]. Deut. 24:1
• [b]. Or "from evil"
• [c]. Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21
• [d]. Lev. 19:18