Matthew 5:28-38

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. 1
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. 2
31 "It was also said, "Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a written notice of divorce.' 3
32 But now I tell you: if a man divorces his wife for any cause other than her unfaithfulness, then he is guilty of making her commit adultery if she marries again; and the man who marries her commits adultery also. 4
33 "You have also heard that people were told in the past, "Do not break your promise, but do what you have vowed to the Lord to do.' 5
34 But now I tell you: do not use any vow when you make a promise. Do not swear by heaven, for it is God's throne; 6
35 nor by earth, for it is the resting place for his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 7
36 Do not even swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black.
37 Just say "Yes' or "No' - anything else you say comes from the Evil One.
38 "You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' 8

Cross References 8

  • 1. 5.29Matthew 18.9;Mark 9.47.
  • 2. 5.30Matthew 18.8;Mark 9.43.
  • 3. 5.31Deuteronomy 24.1-4;Matthew 19.7;Mark 10.4.
  • 4. 5.32Matthew 19.9;Mark 10.11, 12;Luke 16.18;1 Corinthians 7.10, 11.
  • 5. 5.33 aLeviticus 19.12; bNumbers 30.2;Deuteronomy 23.21.
  • 6. 5.34 aJames 5.12; bIsaiah 66.1;Matthew 23.22.
  • 7. 5.35 aIsaiah 66.1; bPsalms 48.2.
  • 8. 5.38Exodus 21.24;Leviticus 24.20;Deuteronomy 19.21.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.