Matthew 5:19–30

¹⁹So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

²¹You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’^c and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ ²²But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother^d will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’^e will be subject to the Sanhedrin.^f But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.^g

²³So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

²⁵Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. ²⁶Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.^h

²⁷You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’^{i 28}But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.^{j 30}And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to depart into hell.