The Gospel of Matthew for Readers | Page 4

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 deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
If ye forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Moreover, when ye fast, be not as the