Jesus’ Healing Ministry

4:23 Jesus35 went throughout all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues,36 preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of disease and sickness among the people. 4:24 So a report about him spread throughout Syria. People37 brought to him all who suffered with various illnesses and afflictions, those who had seizures,38 paralytics, and those possessed by demons,39 and he healed them. 4:25 And large crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis,40 Jerusalem,41 Judea, and beyond the Jordan River.42

The Beatitudes

5:1 When1 he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain.2 After he sat down his disciples came to him. 5:2 Then3 he began to teach4 them by saying:

5:3 “Blessed5 are the poor in spirit,6 for the kingdom of heaven belongs7 to them.

5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.8

5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger9 and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children10 of God.

5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

5:11 “Blessed are you when people11 insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely12 on account of me. 5:12 Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.

Salt and Light

5:13 “You are the salt13 of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor,14 how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. 5:15 People15 do not light a lamp and put it under a basket16 but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

Fulfillment of the Law and Prophets

5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish these things but to fulfill them.17 5:18 I18 tell you the truth,19 until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter20 will pass from the law until everything takes place. 5:19 So anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others21 to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever obeys them and teaches others to do so will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 5:20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the experts in the law22 and the Pharisees,23 you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Anger and Murder

5:21 “You have heard that it was said to an older generation,24 ‘Do not murder,’25 and ‘whoever murders will be subjected to judgment.’ 5:22 But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother26 will be subjected to judgment. And whoever insults27 a brother will be brought before28 the council,29 and whoever says ‘Fool’30 will be sent31 to fiery hell.32 5:23 So then, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 5:24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother and then come and present your gift. 5:25 Reach agreement33 quickly with your accuser while on the way to court,34 or he35 may hand you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the warden, and you will be thrown into prison. 5:26 I tell you the truth,36 you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny!37