19. So whoever sets aside any command that seems unimportant and teaches others to do the same will be unimportant in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches what the commands say will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20. I can guarantee that unless you live a life that has God’s approval and do it more faithfully than the experts in Moses’ Teachings and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
21. “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘Never murder. Whoever murders will answer for it in court.’
22. But I can guarantee that whoever is angry with another believer will answer for it in court. Whoever calls another believer an insulting name will answer for it in the highest court. Whoever calls another believer a fool will answer for it in hellfire.
23. “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and remember there that another believer has something against you,
24. leave your gift at the altar. First go away and make peace with that person. Then come back and offer your gift.
25. “Make peace quickly with your opponent while you are on the way to court with him. Otherwise, he will hand you over to the judge. Then the judge will hand you over to an officer, who will throw you into prison.
26. I can guarantee this truth: You will never get out until you pay every penny of your fine.
27. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Never commit adultery.’
28. But I can guarantee that whoever looks with lust at a woman has already committed adultery in his heart.
29. “So if your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose a part of your body than to have all of it thrown into hell.
30. And if your right hand leads you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose a part of your body than to have all of it go into hell.
31. “It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a written notice.’
32. But I can guarantee that any man who divorces his wife for any reason other than unfaithfulness makes her look as though she has committed adultery. Whoever marries a woman divorced in this way makes himself look as though he has committed adultery.
33. “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘Never break your oath, but give to the Lord what you swore in an oath to give him.’
34. But I tell you don’t swear an oath at all. Don’t swear an oath by heaven, which is God’s throne,
35. or by the earth, which is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, which is the city of the great King.
36. And don’t swear an oath by your head. After all, you cannot make one hair black or white.