If you have been hoping for a longer podcast episode. then I have good news. If you were happy with the 8 and 9 minutes episodes we’ve been having, then you should say something when I ask for feedback. This is the first of three chapters that record Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. It’s not just that the chapter is 48 verses long, it’s that Jesus says so much good stuff.

Matthew 5

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up into a mountain: and when he sat down his disciples came to him.

2 He opened his mouth, and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

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

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 You are blessed, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven: for they persecuted the prophets which were before you.

13 You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost its savor, what can it be salted with? It is good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trampled underfoot by men.

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

15 Nor does anyone light a candle and put it under a basket, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all that are in the house.

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

17 Do not think that I have come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I have not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall pass from the law, until all is fulfilled.

19 Whoever breaks one of these least commandments, and teaches others to do so, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I say to you, That except your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

21 You have heard that it was said of them of old time ‘You shall not kill;’ and ‘whoever kills shall be in danger of the judgment:’

22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment, and whoever insults his brother shall be in danger of the council: but whoever says ‘You fool” shall be in danger of hell fire. 

23 If you bring your gift to the altar, and then remember that your brother has anything against you;

24 Leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

25 Come to terms quickly with your adversary, while your are on the way to court; before he can deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you are cast into prison.

26 I tell you, by no means shall you come out of there until you have paid every penny. 

27 You have heard that it was said ‘Do not commit adultery;’

28 But I say that whoever looks at a woman and lusts for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.

29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away: for it is better for you that you lose one of your members than your whole body get thrown into hell.

30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off, and throw it away: for it is better for you that you lose one of your members than your whole body get thrown into hell.

31 It has been said ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce;’

32 But I say that whoever divorces his wife, except in the case of fornication, causes her to commit adultery: and whoever marries her that is divorced commits adultery.

33 Again, you have heard that it hath been said ‘Do not break your oaths but you shall perform your oath to the Lord.’

34 But I say do not swear at all; not by heaven; for it is God’s throne:

35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

36 Nor shall you swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37 But let your communication be ‘yes’ or ‘no’ for anything more than these comes from evil. 

38 You have heard it said ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:’

39 But I say to you do resist not evil: if someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40 And if any man will sue you in court, and take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.

41 If anyone forces you to go a mile, go with him two miles. 

42 Give to anyone that asks, and do not turn anyone anyone that borrows from you.

43 You have heard it said ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

44 But I say to you ‘Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you, and persecute you;’

45 That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

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

47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do that?

48 Be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

See also: Matthew 5 in ESV, HCSB, NASB, NIV via Bible Gateway.