Matthew 5
Geneva Bible of 1587 Par ▾ 

The Sermon on the Mount

1And when he sawe the multitude, he went vp into a mountaine: and when he was set, his disciples came to him. 2And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,

The Beatitudes
(Psalm 1:1–6; Luke 6:20–23)

3Blessed are the poore in spirit, for theirs is the kingdome of heauen.

4Blessed are they that mourne: for they shall be comforted.

5Blessed are the meeke: for they shall inherite the earth.

6Blessed are they which hunger and thirst for righteousnes: for they shalbe filled.

7Blessed are the mercifull: for they shal obteine mercie.

8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9Blessed are the peace makers: for they shal be called the children of God.

10Blessed are they which suffer persecution for righteousnes sake: for theirs is the kingdome of heauen.

11Blessed shall ye be when men reuile you, and persecute you, & say all maner of euill against you for my sake, falsely. 12Reioyce and be glad, for great is your reward in heauen: for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you.

Salt and Light
(Mark 9:49–50; Luke 14:34–35; Philippians 2:12–18)

13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt haue lost his sauour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be troden vnder foote of men.

14Ye are the light of the world. A citie that is set on an hill, cannot be hid. 15Neither doe men light a candel, and put it vnder a bushel, but on a candlesticke, and it giueth light vnto all that are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good workes, and glorifie your Father which is in heauen.

The Fulfillment of the Law

17Think not that I am come to destroy the Lawe, or the Prophets. I am not come to destroy them, but to fulfill them. 18For truly I say vnto you, Till heauen, and earth perish, one iote or one title of the Law shall not scape, till all things be fulfilled. 19Whosoeuer therefore shall breake one of these least commandements, and teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdome of heauen: but whosoeuer shall obserue and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdome of heauen.

20For I say vnto you, except your righteousnes exceede the righteousnes of the Scribes and Pharises, ye shall not enter into the kingdome of heauen.

Anger and Reconciliation
(Luke 12:57–59)

21Ye haue heard that it was sayd vnto them of the olde time, Thou shalt not kill: for whosoeuer killeth shalbe culpable of iudgement. 22But I say vnto you, whosoeuer is angry with his brother vnaduisedly, shalbe culpable of iudgment; whosoeuer sayth vnto his brother, Raca, shalbe worthy to be punished by the Councill; whosoeuer shall say, Foole, shalbe worthy to be punished with hell fire. 23If then thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remembrest that thy brother hath ought against thee, 24Leaue there thine offring before the altar, and goe thy way: first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25Agree with thine aduersarie quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him, lest thine aduersarie deliuer thee to the Iudge, & the Iudge deliuer thee to ye sergeant, & thou be cast into prison. 26Verely I say vnto thee, thou shalt not come out thence, till thou hast payed the vtmost farthing.

Adultery
(Leviticus 18:1–30)

27Ye haue heard that it was sayd to them of olde time, Thou shalt not commit adulterie. 28But I say vnto you, that whosoeuer looketh on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adulterie with her already in his heart. 29Wherefore if thy right eye cause thee to offend, plucke it out, & cast it from thee: for better it is for thee, that one of thy members perish, then that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30Also if thy right hand make thee to offend, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for better it is for thee that one of thy members perish, then that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Divorce
(Deuteronomy 24:1–5; Luke 16:18)

31It hath bene sayd also, Whosoeuer shall put away his wife, let him giue her a bill of diuorcement. 32But I say vnto you, whosoeuer shall put away his wife (except it be for fornication) causeth her to commit adulterie: & whosoeuer shal marrie her that is diuorced, committeth adulterie.

Oaths and Vows
(Numbers 30:1–16)

33Againe, ye haue heard that it was sayd to them of old time, Thou shalt not forsweare thy selfe, but shalt performe thine othes to the Lord. 34But I say vnto you, Sweare not at all, neither by heauen, for it is the throne of God: 35Nor yet by the earth: for it is his footestoole: neither by Hierusalem: for it is the citie of the great King. 36Neither shalt thou sweare by thine head, because thou canst not make one heare white or blacke. 37But let your communication be Yea, yea: Nay, nay. For whatsoeuer is more then these, commeth of euill.

Love Your Enemies
(Leviticus 24:17–23; Luke 6:27–36)

38Ye haue heard that it hath bene sayd, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. 39But I say vnto you, Resist not euill: but whosoeuer shall smite thee on thy right cheeke, turne to him the other also. 40And if any man wil sue thee at the law, and take away thy coate, let him haue thy cloke also. 41And whosoeuer will compell thee to goe a mile, goe with him twaine. 42Giue to him that asketh, and from him that would borowe of thee, turne not away.

43Ye haue heard that it hath bin said, Thou shalt loue thy neighbour, and hate your enemie. 44But I say vnto you, Loue your enemies: blesse them that curse you: doe good to them that hate you, and pray for them which hurt you, and persecute you, 45That ye may be the children of your father that is in heauen: for he maketh his sunne to arise on the euill, and the good, and sendeth raine on the iust, and vniust. 46For if ye loue them, which loue you, what rewarde shall you haue? Doe not the Publicanes euen the same? 47And if ye be friendly to your brethren onely, what singular thing doe ye? doe not euen the Publicanes likewise? 48Ye shall therefore be perfit, as your Father which is in heauen, is perfite.


Geneva Bible of 1587

Section Headings Courtesy Berean Bible

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