The Gospel of Matthew for Readers | Page 4

curses his brother is in danger of hell fire.
So, if thou bring a gift to the altar and then remember that thy brother
has something against thee, leave the gift before the altar. Be reconciled
to thy brother first. Then come back and offer thy gift. Agree with thine
adversary quickly while thou art with him; lest, at any time, thy
adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the
officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt
not come out then until all is paid.
Ye have heard it said by them of old, Thou shalt not commit adultery.
But I say, Whoever looks on a woman in lust has already committed
adultery in his heart. If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it
away. It is more profitable for thee that one of thy members should
perish rather than thy whole body be cast into hell. And if thy right
hand offend thee, cut it off and cast it from thee. It is more profitable
for thee that one of thy members should perish rather than thy whole
body be cast into hell.
It has been said, Whoever puts away his wife shall give her a writing of
divorcement. But I say, Whoever puts away his wife, except for reason
of fornication, causes her to commit adultery. And whoever marries her
that is divorced commits adultery.
Also, ye have heard it said by them of old, Thou shalt not forswear
thyself but perform your oaths unto the Lord. But I say, take no oaths at
all. Do not swear by heaven because it is God's throne. Do not swear by
the earth because it is His footstool. Do not swear by Jerusalem for it is
the city of the great King. Do not swear by thy self because you are
incapable of making even one hair white or black. Let your statement
be only Yea, yes; Nay, no: for anything more than this comes to evil.
Ye have heard it said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I
say, Do not resist evil. Whoever strikes thee on thy right cheek, turn the

other to him also. And, if any one lawfully sues thee and takes away
thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. Whoever compels thee to go a
mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of thee. From him who
would borrow of thee, do not turn away.
Ye have heard it said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate thine
enemy. But I say, Love your enemy. Bless those who curse you. Do
good to those who hate you. Pray for those who spitefully use and
persecute you.
Do this that ye may be the children of your Father in heaven. He makes
His sun rise on the evil and on the good. He sends rain on the just and
on the unjust. If ye love only those who love you, what reward have ye?
Do not even the publicans do this? And if ye greet your friends only,
what do ye do more than others? Do not even the publicans do this?
Instead be ye as perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.
6 Take heed that ye do not do your almsgiving to be seen by others. If
so, ye have no reward from your Father in heaven. When you give, do
not sound a trumpet in the synagogues and in the streets as do the
hypocrites. They seek the glory of men. Verily, I say unto you, They
have their reward.
When you give alms, do not let thy left hand know what thy right does.
Give alms in secret and thy Father, who sees in secret, shall reward thee
openly.
When thou pray, thou shalt not be like the hypocrites. They love to
pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets so they
may be seen. Verily, I say unto you, They have their reward.
When thou pray, enter into thy closet. When thou has shut thy door,
pray to thy Father in secret. Thy Father, who sees in secret, shall
reward thee openly.
When ye pray, do not use vain repetitions like the heathen. They think
that they shall be heard for their long speaking. Be not like them. Your
Father knows what things ye need even before ye ask Him.
Pray like this: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give
us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our
debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but