Matthew Chapter 5
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
5:33. Again you have heard that it was said to them of old, thou shalt not forswear thyself: but thou shalt perform thy oaths to the Lord.
5:34. But I say to you not to swear at all, neither by heaven for it is the throne of God:
Not to swear at all.... It is not forbid to swear in truth, justice and judgment; to the honour of God, or our own or neighbour’s just defence: but only to swear rashly, or profanely, in common discourse, and without necessity.
5:35. Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool: nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king:
5:36. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
5:37. But let your speech be yea, yea: no, no: and that which is over and above these, is of evil.
5:38. You have heard that it hath been said: An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.
5:39. But I say to you not to resist evil: but if one strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other:
Not to resist evil, etc.... What is here commanded, is a Christian patience under injuries and affronts, and to be willing even to suffer still more, rather than to indulge the desire of revenge: but what is further added does not strictly oblige according to the letter, for neither did Christ nor St. Paul turn the other cheek. St. John 18., and Acts 23.
5:40. And if a man will contend with thee in judgment, and take away thy coat, let go thy cloak also unto him.
5:41. And whosoever will force thee one mile, go with him other two.
5:42. Give to him that asketh of thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not away.
5:43. You have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thy enemy.
5:44. But I say to you, Love your enemies: do good to them that hate you: and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you:
5:45. That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven, who maketh his sun to rise upon the good, and bad, and raineth upon the just and the unjust.
5:46. For if you love them that love you, what reward shall you have? do not even the publicans this?
The publicans.... These were the gatherers of the public taxes: a set of men, odious and infamous among the Jews, for their extortions and injustice.
5:47. And if you salute your brethren only, what do you more? do not also the heathens this?
5:48. Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect.