A little time with Scripture.
SCRIPTURE READER

Matthew 5:1-20

World English Bible · Public domain

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Matthew 5:1-20

1Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.

2He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,

3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

4Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

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

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

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

10Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

11“Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

13“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.

14“You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.

15Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.

16Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

17“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.

18For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.

19Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

20For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

World English Bible (WEB). Public-domain translation. Publisher: eBible.org. Local WEB chapter text; additional external requests use bible-api.com.

A few questions for reading in context
  • Who is speaking, and to whom?
  • What is happening before and after this passage?
  • What kind of writing is this—poetry, narrative, letter, or another form?
  • What does the passage say before I consider how to apply it?