«You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

«You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

«Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

«You have heard that it was said to those of old, «You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.́

But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, «Raca!́ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, «You fool!́ shall be in danger of hell fire.

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,

leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.

Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.

«You have heard that it was said to those of old, «You shall not commit adultery.́

But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

«Furthermore it has been said, «Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.́

But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.

«Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, «You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.́

But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God́s throne;

nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.

But let your «Yeś be «Yes,́ and your «No,́ «No.́ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

«You have heard that it was said, «An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.́

But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.

And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.

Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

«You have heard that it was said, «You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.́

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?

Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.

And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples

and said to Him, «Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?»

Jesus answered and said to them, «Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:

The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.»

As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: «What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kingś houses.

But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.

For this is he of whom it is written: «Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.́

«Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

«But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions,

and saying: «We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not lament.́

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, «He has a demon.́

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, «Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!́ But wisdom is justified by her children.»

Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent:

«Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.

And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.»

At that time Jesus answered and said, «I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.

Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.

All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.»