Gospel According to Matthew - Modern Literal Version

Gospel According to Matthew (MLV)

Matthew 5)

^5:1 And seeing the crowds, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came to him:^5:2 and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:^5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: because theirs is the kingdom of heaven.^5:4 Blessed are those who mourn: because they will be comforted. ^5:5 Blessed are the meek: because they will inherit the earth.^5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness: because they will be filled. ^5:7 Blessed are the merciful: because they will be shown-mercy.^5:8 Blessed are the clean in heart: because they will see God.^5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: because they will be called sons of God.^5:10 Blessed are those who have been persecuted because of righteousness: because theirs is the kingdom of heaven.^5:11 Blessed are you* when men reproach you* and persecute you* and say every evil word against you* falsely, because of me. ^5:12 Rejoice and be glad: because your* reward in heaven is great: for* in this manner they persecuted the prophets who were before you*.

^5:13 You* are the salt of the earth: but if the salt becomes tasteless, then with what shall it be salted? It is still not able to be used FOR anything, except to be cast outside and trampled by men.^5:14 You* are the light of the world. A city lying on a hill is not able to be hid.^5:15 Nor do they light a lamp and place it under a peck-container, but on the lamp-stand; and it is shining to all who are in the house.^5:16 So let your* light shine before men; that they may see your* good works and glorify your* Father who is in heaven.

^5:17 Do not think that I came to tear-down the law or the prophets: I did not come to tear-down, but to fulfill.^5:18 For* truly I say to you*, Until heaven and earth pass away by no means will one iota or one tittle pass away from the law, until all things happen.^5:19 Therefore whoever breaks one of these least commandments and teaches men to do so, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whoever practices and teaches them, he will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.^5:20 For* I say to you*, that unless your* righteousness will abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you* will by no means enter into the kingdom of heaven.

^5:21 You* have heard that it was said to them of old, 'Do not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to the judgment.' {Ex. 20.13 & DT. 5.17}^5:22 But I say to you*, that everyone who is angry with his brother without cause will be liable to the judgment; and whoever says to his brother, _<6>You empty-head, will be liable to the council; and whoever says, _<7>You good for nothing, will be liable to the hell of fire.^5:23 Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and while you are there remember that your brother has something against you.^5:24 Leave your gift there before the altar and go your way, first be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift.^5:25 Be agreeable with your adversary quickly, while you are with him in the way; lest perhaps the adversary deliver you to the judge and the judge deliver you to the officer and you are cast into prison.^5:26 Truly I say to you, You will by no means come out of there, until you have repaid the last quadran.

^5:27 You* have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' {Ex. 20.14 & Dt. 5.18} ^5:28 But I say to you*, that everyone who is looking at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.^5:29 And if your right eye is _<6a>offending you, pluck it out and cast it from you*: for* it is advantageous for you that one of your members should perish and not your whole body be cast into hell.^5:30 And if your right hand is offending you, cut it off and cast it away from you*: for* it is advantageous for you that one of your members should perish and not your whole body be cast into hell.^5:31 It was said also, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement.' {Dt. 24.1, 3}^5:32 But I say to you*, that whoever divorces his wife, except-for the reason of fornication, makes her commit adultery and whoever marries her who has been divorced commits adultery.

^5:33 Again, you* have heard that it was said to them of old, 'You will not swear falsely, but will render your oaths to the Lord.' {Lev. 19:12, Num. 30.2, Dt. 23.21}^5:34 But I say to you*, do not swear at all; neither by the heaven, because it is the throne of God;^5:35 nor by the earth, because it is the footstool of his feet; nor toward Jerusalem, because it is the city of the Great King,^5:36 nor will you swear by your head, because you are not able to make one hair white or black.^5:37 But let your* speech be, a Yes, yes; a No, no and whatever is more than these is from _<8> the evil one.

^5:38 You* have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth:^5:39 but I say to you*, not to withstand the evil: but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.^5:40 And to him who is willing to go to law with you and wants to take away your coat, allow to him your tunic also.^5:41 And whoever compels you to go one Roman mile, go with him two.^5:42 Give to him who asks you and do not turn away from the one who wishes to borrow from you.

^5:43 You* have heard that it was said, 'You will love* your neighbor and hate your enemy.' {Lev. 19:18}^5:44 but I say to you*, love* your* enemies, bless those who speak-evil of you*, do good to those who hate you* and pray on behalf of those who despitefully use you* and persecute you*.^5:45 Do this that* you* may become sons of your* Father who is in heaven: because he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and it rains on the righteous and the unrighteous.^5:46 For* if you* love* those who love* you*, what reward do you* have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?^5:47 And if you* greet your* friends only, what do you* do more than others ? Do not even the tax collectors do that in this manner?^5:48 Therefore you* will be perfect, just-as your* Father who is in the heavens is perfect.

<6> 5:22- An expression of contempt.

<6a> 5:29 and all other places - offend literally means 'cause to stumble.'

<7> 5:22- OR: Moreh; A Hebrew expression of condemnation.

<8> 5:37- OR: evil; As in verses 39, 6.13.