Study Desk

John was the man the prophet Isaiah was talking about when he said, "Someone is shouting in the desert, ‘Prepare a road for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!'"

And don't think you can escape punishment by saying that Abraham is your ancestor. I tell you that God can take these rocks and make descendants for Abraham!

But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so for now. For in this way we shall do all that God requires." So John agreed.

and said to him, "If you are God's Son, throw yourself down, for the scripture says, ‘God will give orders to his angels about you; they will hold you up with their hands, so that not even your feet will be hurt on the stones.'"

"Happy are those who work for peace; God will call them his children!

Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted.

"You are like salt for the whole human race. But if salt loses its saltiness, there is no way to make it salty again. It has become worthless, so it is thrown out and people trample on it.

"You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.

No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead it is put on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house.

But now I tell you: if you are angry with your brother you will be brought to trial, if you call your brother ‘You good-for-nothing!' you will be brought before the Council, and if you call your brother a worthless fool you will be in danger of going to the fire of hell.

So if your right eye causes you to sin, take it out and throw it away! It is much better for you to lose a part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell.

If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is much better for you to lose one of your limbs than to have your whole body go off to hell.

But now I tell you: if a man divorces his wife for any cause other than her unfaithfulness, then he is guilty of making her commit adultery if she marries again; and the man who marries her commits adultery also.

But now I tell you: do not use any vow when you make a promise. Do not swear by heaven, for it is God's throne;

nor by earth, for it is the resting place for his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

"You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'

And if someone takes you to court to sue you for your shirt, let him have your coat as well.

When someone asks you for something, give it to him; when someone wants to borrow something, lend it to him.

But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

so that you may become the children of your Father in heaven. For he makes his sun to shine on bad and good people alike, and gives rain to those who do good and to those who do evil.