Capítulo 5
1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him.
2And opening his mouth, he taught them, saying:
3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.[1]The poor in spirit — That is, the humble; and they whose spirit is not set upon riches.
4Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
5Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
6Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God.
10Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake:
12Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you.
13You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men.
14You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.
15Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.
16So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
17Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.[2]To fulfill — By accomplishing all the figures and prophecies; and perfecting all that was imperfect.
18For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled.[3]Amen — That is, assuredly of a truth. This Hebrew word, amen, is here retained by the example and authority of all the four Evangelists. It is used by our Lord as a strong asseveration, and affirmation of the truth.
19He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20For I tell you, that unless your justice abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.[4]The scribes and Pharisees — The scribes were the doctors of the law of Moses: the Pharisees were a precise set of men, making profession of a more exact observance of the law: and upon that account greatly esteemed among the people.
21You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill. And whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment.[5]Shall be in danger of the judgment — That is, shall deserve to be punished by that lesser tribunal among the Jews, called the Judgment, which took cognizance of such crimes.
22But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou Fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath any thing against thee;
24Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother: and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift.
25Be at agreement with thy adversary betimes, whilst thou art in the way with him: lest perhaps the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26Amen I say to thee, thou shalt not go out from thence till thou repay the last farthing.
27You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not commit adultery.
28But I say to you, that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29And if thy right eye scandalize thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee. For it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, rather than that thy whole body be cast into hell.[6]Scandalize thee — That is, if it be a stumblingblock, or occasion of sin to thee. By which we are taught to fly the immediate occasions of sin, though they be as dear to us, or as necessary as a hand or an eye.
30And if thy right hand scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, rather than that thy whole body be cast into hell.
31And it hath been said, whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a bill of divorce.
32But I say to you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, excepting for the cause of fornication, maketh her to commit adultery: and he that shall marry her that is put away, committeth adultery.
33Again 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.
34But I say to you not to swear at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God:[7]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.
35Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool: nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king:
36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37But let your speech be yea, yea: no, no: and that which is over and above these, is of evil.
38You have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.
39But I say to you not to resist evil: but if one strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other:[8]Not to resist evil — 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.
40And if a man will contend with thee in judgment, and take away thy coat, let go thy cloak also unto him.
41And whosoever will force thee one mile, go with him other two,
42Give to him that asketh of thee and from him that would borrow of thee turn not away.
43You have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thy enemy.
44But I say to you, Love your enemies: do good to them that hate you: and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you:
45That 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.
46For if you love them that love you, what reward shall you have? do not even the publicans this?[9]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.
47And if you salute your brethren only, what do you more? do not also the heathens this?
48Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect.