| The New
Revised Standard Version |
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| Matthew 5
Read
This Chapter |
- 5:21
- "You
have heard that it was said to those of
ancient times, "You shall not
murder'; and "whoever murders shall
be liable to judgment.'
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- 5:22
- But I say
to you that if you are angry with a
brother or sister, F34
you will be liable to judgment; and if
you insult F35
a brother or sister, F36
you will be liable to the council; and if
you say, "You fool,' you will be
liable to the hell F37
of fire.
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- 5:23
- So when
you are offering your gift at the altar,
if you remember that your brother or
sister F38
has something against you,
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- 5:24
- leave
your gift there before the altar and go;
first be reconciled to your brother or
sister, F39
and then come and offer your gift.
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- 5:25
- Come to
terms quickly with your accuser while you
are on the way to court F40
with him, or your accuser may hand you
over to the judge, and the judge to the
guard, and you will be thrown into
prison.
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- 5:26
- Truly I
tell you, you will never get out until
you have paid the last penny.
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FOOTNOTES:
F34: Gk [a
brother]+!; other ancient authorities add
[without cause]
F35: Gk [say
Raca to] (an obscure term of abuse)
F36: Gk [a
brother]
F37: Gk
[Gehenna]
F38: Gk [your
brother]
F39: Gk [your
brother]
F40: Gk lacks
[to court]
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| The Message
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| Matthew 5
Read
This Chapter |
- 5:21
- "You're
familiar with the command to the
ancients, 'Do not murder.'
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- 5:22
- I'm
telling you that anyone who is so much as
angry with a brother or sister is guilty
of murder. Carelessly call a brother
'idiot!' and you just might find yourself
hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell
'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the
brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact
is that words kill.
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- 5:23
- "This
is how I want you to conduct yourself in
these matters. If you enter your place of
worship and, about to make an offering,
you suddenly remember a grudge a friend
has against you,
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- 5:24
- abandon
your offering, leave immediately, go to
this friend and make things right. Then
and only then, come back and work things
out with God.
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- 5:25
- "Or
say you're out on the street and an old
enemy accosts you. Don't lose a minute.
Make the first move; make things right
with him. After all, if you leave the
first move to him, knowing his track
record, you're likely to end up in court,
maybe even jail.
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- 5:26
- If that
happens, you won't get out without a
stiff fine.
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