Study Desk

God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, 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.

And if your hand—even your stronger 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 be thrown into hell.

And do not say, ‘By the earth!' because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!' for Jerusalem is the city of the great King.

Do not even say, ‘By my head!' for you can't turn one hair white or black.

"You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'

If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.

But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!

In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.

"Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.

Don't be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!

"And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.

"Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light.

"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?

And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.