Matthew 5
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a hillside. He sat down [in order to teach] his disciples. They came near to him [to listen to him].
Kwathi ebona amaxuku wakhwela entabeni wahlala phansi. Abafundi bakhe beza kuye.
2 Then he began to teach them by saying,
Waseqalisa ukubafundisa esithi:
3 [God] is pleased with people who recognize that they have a spiritual [need]; he will allow them to be the people whose lives he rules over.
“Babusisiwe abampofu emoyeni ngoba umbuso wezulu ungowabo.
4 [God] is pleased with people who mourn [because they have sinned; ] they will be encouraged {he will encourage them.}
Babusisiwe labo abakhalayo ngoba bazakududuzwa.
5 [God] is pleased with people who are meek; they will inherit the earth [that God will recreate].
Babusisiwe abathobekileyo ngoba bazakuba zindlalifa zomhlaba.
6 [God] is pleased with people who sincerely [desire to live] righteously [just like they] desire to eat and drink [MET]; they will be enabled {he will enable them} to do all that he desires [MET].
Babusisiwe labo abalambela labomela ukulunga ngoba bazakusuthiswa.
7 [God] is pleased with people who act mercifully; he will act mercifully to them.
Babusisiwe abalesihawu ngoba bazakuhawukelwa.
8 [God] is pleased with people who think only about that which pleases him; [some day] they will [be where] God is and will see him.
Babusisiwe abahlanzekileyo enhliziyweni ngoba bazabona uNkulunkulu.
9 [God] is pleased with people who help other people to live peacefully; they will be considered to be {he will consider that they are} his children [MET].
Babusisiwe abagcina ukuthula ngoba bazathiwa ngamadodana kaNkulunkulu.
10 [God is pleased with] people to whom evil things are done {to whom [other people] do evil things} because they [conducted themselves] righteously; he will allow them to be where he rules over people.
Babusisiwe abahlukunyezwayo ngenxa yokulunga, ngoba umbuso wezulu ungowabo.
11 [God is pleased with] you when [other] people insult you, when [other people] do evil things to you and when [other people] say falsely [that] you are evil because [you believe in] me.
Libusisiwe lina nxa abantu belithuka, belihlukumeza njalo beligcona ngobubi bonke ngenxa yami.
12 [When that happens], rejoice and be glad [DOU], because [God will give] you a great reward in heaven. [God will think highly of you], just like [he thought highly of] the prophets whom your [ancestors persecuted] long ago.
Thokozani lijabule ngoba mkhulu umvuzo wenu ezulwini, njengoba bahlukunyezwa ngaleyondlela abaphrofethi ababephambi kwenu.”
13 “You are [able to influence] evil [people] [MTY] [and improve the way they live in order that they do not become more evil, just like] salt [is able to improve the flavor of food and to preserve it] [MET] [from spoiling]. Salt that no longer tastes salty cannot become salty again [RHQ]. As a result, that salt becomes useless. It is rejected by people, thrown on the ground, and walked on {People reject it, throw it on the ground and walk on it} [MET]. [Similarly, if the way you live no longer influences people to live in a godly manner, God will reject you].
“Lina lilitswayi lomhlaba. Kodwa nxa itswayi lingalahlekelwa yibumunyu balo, lingavuselelwa njani na? Kaliselamsebenzi ngaphandle kokuthi lichithelwe phandle linyathelwe ngabantu.
14 You [enable] evil [people] [MTY] [to perceive God’s truth as] a light [enables people to perceive what is around them. Just like] everyone can see [LIT] [the lights of] a city on a hill [MET], [other people can see what you do].
Lina liyikukhanya kwezwe. Idolobho elakhelwe entabeni kalisitheki.
15 After people light a lamp, they never put it under a basket. Instead, [they put it] on a lampstand in their houses in order that it can shine on everyone there.
Njalo abantu kabalumathisi isibane basibeke ngaphansi kwesitsha. Kodwa basibeka phezu koluthi lwaso ukuze sikhanyisele bonke abasendlini.
16 [Similarly], you need to do [what is right] [MET] in such a manner that other people can see the good deeds that you do, and as a result they will praise your Father [who is] in heaven.”
Ngokunjalo, yenzani ukukhanya kwenu kukhanye phambi kwabantu ukuze babone izenzo zenu ezinhle baze badumise uYihlo osezulwini.”
17 “I came to earth, not to annul the laws [that God gave Moses] or [what] the prophets [MTY] [wrote]. Instead, I [came] to cause to happen [what the authors of those books predicted would happen]. So do not think any longer that I have come [to earth] in order that I might annul [what they wrote].
“Lingacabangi ukuthi ngilande ukuzadiliza uMthetho kumbe abaPhrofethi. Kangilandanga ukuzediliza kodwa ukuzogcwalisisa.
18 Keep this in mind: [Every] point of those laws, [including those points that seem] least important, and even the smallest details of the laws [MTY] will surely be in effect [HYP, LIT] until the heavens and the earth disappear and until all [that God told their authors to write] happens.
Ngilitshela iqiniso ukuthi kuze kunyamalale izulu lomhlaba kakuyikususwa lutho eMthethweni, loba libadlana kumbe lichatshana elilotshiweyo, kuze kupheleliswe konke.
19 Since [all God’s laws are important], if anyone disobeys any of those commandments, [even if it would be] one of the least [important ones], and if that person teaches people [to disobey any of those commandments], it will be said {[God] will say} that that person is the least [important] of those in the place where [EUP] God rules. But those who obey [those commandments] and teach [other people to obey them, it will be said] {[God] will say} that they are very important among those that God rules.
Loba ngubani owephula owodwa nje wale imilayo emincinyane, afundise abanye ukwenzanjalo uzathiwa mncinyane embusweni wezulu kodwa loba ngubani olandela njalo afundise imilayo le njengokuba, uzathiwa mkhulu embusweni wezulu.
20 Keep this in mind: [You assume that] the Pharisees and the men who teach our laws [faithfully obey] what God commands. But if you do not obey those laws better than they obey them, you will by no means enter the place where God rules.”
Ngakho ngiyalitshela ukuthi ngaphandle kokuthi ukulunga kwenu kwedlule okwabaFarisi labafundisi bomthetho, ngempela kalizukuwungena umbuso wezulu.”
21 “You have heard [your religious teachers say] that it was said {that [Moses] said} to your ancestors, ‘Do not murder [anyone.’ This implied that] if someone murders [another person], the judge will condemn that person [and] sentence him to be [executed] {[say that someone must execute him]}.
“Lezwa ukuthi kwathiwa kwabasendulo, ‘Ungabulali; lowo obulalayo uzakwahlulelwa.’
22 But what I say to you is this: [If you are] angry with someone, [God] will judge you. If you say to someone, ‘[You are worthless],’ the Jewish Council will judge you. If you [hate someone], and say to them 'You fool!' you. yourself, will be in danger of being thrown into the fires in hell. (Geenna g1067)
Kodwa ngilitshela ngithi loba ngubani ozondela umfowabo loba udadewabo uzakwahlulelwa emthethwandaba. Njalo lowo othi kumfowabo loba kudadewabo, ‘Raca,’ okutsho ukuthi ‘Silimandini,’ uzathonisiswa emphakathini. Njalo lowo othi, ‘Wena siwula!’ uzakuba sengozini yomlilo wesihogo. (Geenna g1067)
23 So, when you take your gift [for God] to the altar, if you remember that you have offended someone,
Ngakho-ke, nxa uletha isipho sakho e-alithareni ubusukhumbula ukuthi umfowenu kumbe udadewenu ulesikhwili lawe,
24 leave your gift by the altar, and first go [to the person you have offended]. Tell that person that you are sorry for what you have done, and ask that person to forgive you. Then go back and offer your gift [to God].
tshiya khonapho isipho sakho phambi kwe-alithari. Qala uyebuyisana laye umfowenu kumbe udadewenu andubana ubuye uzonikela umnikelo wakho.
25 [Also], when a fellow citizen [takes you to court in order to] accuse you, settle accounts with that person quickly while you are walking with that person [to court]. Do that [while there still is time to do so] in order that he will not take you to the judge, [because if] the judge [favors the person who is accusing you, he will declare that you are guilty and send you] to the prison guard, and the prison guard will put you in prison.
Phangisa uqedelane lalowo okumangalelayo lisahamba lisiya emthethwandaba funa akunikele kumahluleli ozakunikela kumlindijele ukuthi akuphosele entolongweni.
26 Keep this in mind: [If you go to prison], you will never get out [because you will never be able to] pay all that the judge says that you owe [MET]. [And remember also that] you [ought to settle accounts with God before you die, too].”
Ngilitshela iqiniso, kawusoze uphume uze uhlawule kanye lohlamvana lokucina lwemali.”
27 “You have heard [God’s] commandment, ‘Do not commit adultery.’
“Lezwa ukuthi kwathiwa, ‘Ungaphingi.’
28 But what I say to you is this: If a man only looks at a woman desiring to have sex with her, [God considers that] his doing that [MET] is sin.
Kodwa ngilitshela ukuthi lowo okhangela owesifazane amfise usephinge laye enhliziyweni yakhe.
29 If because of what you see [MTY] you [are tempted to] sin, [stop looking at those things! Even if you have to] gouge out one of your eyes and throw it away [HYP] [to avoid sinning, do it!] It is good [that you not sin and] as a result [go to heaven, even though while you are still here on earth] you lack one [or both of] your eyes. But it is not good [that you continue to have two eyes and sin and, as a result, God] sends your whole body to hell. (Geenna g1067)
Nxa ilihlo lakho lokunene likwenzisa isono, likopole, ulikhuphe ulilahlele khatshana. Kungcono kuwe ukuthi ulahlekelwe ngesisodwa isitho somzimba wakho kulokuthi umzimba wakho wonke uphoselwe esihogweni somlilo. (Geenna g1067)
30 If you are [tempted to] use one of your hands to sin [MTY], [stop using your hand. Even if you have to] cut your hand off and throw it away [to avoid sinning, do it] [HYP]! It is good [that you do not sin and as a result you go to heaven, even though while you are still here on earth] you lack one [or both] of your [hands]. But it is not good [that you sin and, as a result, God] sends your whole body to hell.” (Geenna g1067)
Njalo nxa isandla sakho sokunene sikwenzisa isono, siqume usiphosele khatshana. Kungcono kuwe ukuthi ulahlekelwe ngesisodwa isitho somzimba wakho kulokuthi umzimba wakho wonke uye esihogweni somlilo.” (Geenna g1067)
31 “It is written {[Moses] wrote}, ‘If a man is divorcing his wife, he should write a document [on which he states that he is] divorcing her.’
“Kwathiwa, ‘Lowo owehlukana lomkakhe kamuphe incwadi yokuquma umtshado.’
32 But [now listen to what] I say to you: [A man] may [divorce his wife] only if she has committed adultery, [and not for any other reason]. If a man divorces his wife [for any other reason, and he has sex with another woman], he makes his wife become one against whom he has committed adultery, [because in God’s estimation she still is his wife]. Also, if a man marries a woman who is divorced {whose husband has divorced her}, [God considers] him [guilty of] committing adultery.”
Kodwa mina ngilitshela ngithi lowo ohlukana lomkakhe, ngaphandle kokuba ehlobongile, umenza afebe, njalo lowo othatha umfazi ohlukene lomkakhe uyaphinga.”
33 “You have also heard [your religious teachers say] that it was written {that [Moses] wrote} to your ancestors, ‘Make sure that you do what you promised the Lord that you would do!’ [DOU]
“Njalo selezwa ukuthi kwathiwa kwabendulo, ‘Ungephuli isifungo sakho kodwa gcwalisa izifungo zakho ozenzileyo eNkosini.’
34 But [now listen to what] I say to you: Never promise to do anything and then ask a superior being to affirm [that what you are saying will happen. For example, do] not [promise that you will give something and then ask spiritual beings in] heaven [MTY] [to affirm that you will do it], because heaven is where God [sits] on his throne [MTY] [to rule over people].
Kodwa mina ngithi, lingafungi loba sokutheni, kumbe ngezulu ngoba liyisihlalo sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu;
35 [Also, do] not [promise that you will give something and then ask spiritual beings] on earth [MTY] [to affirm that you will do it], because the earth is where God rests his feet [MET]. [Also, do] not [promise that you will do something and ask religious authorities] in Jerusalem [to affirm that you will do it], because Jerusalem is the city where [God], the great King [rules].
loba ngomhlaba ngoba uyisinyathelo sakhe loba ngeJerusalema ngoba lidolobho leNkosi enkulu.
36 [Also, do not promise that you will do something and then say that] your head [should be cut off] {[someone should cut off] your head} [if you do not do it]. You are not [even] able to [change the color of the hair of your head by] making one [black] hair white or one [white] hair black.
Njalo ungafungi ngekhanda lakho ngoba ungeke wenze lalunye unwele lube mhlophe kumbe lube mnyama.
37 [If you talk about doing something], just say ‘Yes, I [will do it],’ or ‘No, I [will not do it].’ [If you say] anything more than that, it is from [Satan], the Evil One.”
Okumele likutsho yikuthi ‘Yebo’ kumbe ‘Hatshi’; okunye okungasilokhu kuvela komubi.”
38 “You have heard [your religious teachers say] that [it is written] {[Moses wrote]}, ‘[Retaliate like this]: [If someone damages] one of your eyes, [someone should damage] one of that person’s eyes. [If someone damages] one of your teeth, [someone should damage] one of that person’s teeth.’
“Selezwa ukuthi kwathiwa, ‘Ilihlo ngelihlo njalo izinyo ngezinyo.’
39 But [now listen to what] I say to you: Do not take revenge for evil [deeds done] {[that other people do]} [to you]. Instead, if someone [insults you by] striking you on one cheek, turn your other cheek toward that person [in order that he can strike it also].
Kodwa mina ngiyalitshela ngithi, lingamelani lomuntu omubi. Nxa omunye angakutshaya esihlathini sokunene, muphe njalo esinye isihlathi.
40 If someone wants to sue you and take your (inner garment/shirt), give him your (outer garment/coat) also.
Njalo nxa omunye efuna ukukumangalela ukuze akuthathele isigqoko sakho, myekele athathe lejazi lakho njalo.
41 If a [military authority] compels you to go with him one mile [and carry his gear], go with him two miles [and carry his gear].
Nxa omunye ekubamba ngamandla ukuthi uhambe ikhilomitha elilodwa, hamba laye abe mabili.
42 Also, if someone asks you for [something], give [him what he is asking for]. If someone requests you to lend him [something], do not refuse [to lend it to him].”
Muphe lowo ocela kuwe njalo ungamfulatheli lowo ofuna ukweboleka kuwe.”
43 “You have heard [your religious teachers say that it is written that Moses wrote], ‘Love the citizens of your country and hate your enemies.’
“Selezwa ukuthi kwathiwa, ‘Thanda umakhelwane wakho, uzonde isitha sakho.’
44 But [now listen to what] I say to you: Love your enemies [as well as your friends], and pray for those who cause you to suffer.
Kodwa mina ngilitshela ukuthi, thandani izitha zenu, libakhulekele labo abalihlukuluzayo,
45 Do that in order to imitate what [God], your Father [who is] in heaven, does. He desires that you [MET] do [like he does]. [He acts kindly to all people. For example, he causes] the sun to shine [equally] on wicked [people] and on good [people], and [he sends] rain [both] on righteous [people] and on unrighteous [people].
ukuze libe ngamadodana kaYihlo osezulwini. Wenza ilanga lakhe liphume kwababi labalungileyo njalo anise izulu kwabalungileyo lakwabangalunganga.
46 If you love [only] the people who love you, ([do not expect God to] reward you [in heaven]!/will [God] reward you [in heaven]?) [RHQ] [This is based on the fact that everyone], even the tax collectors, [who you think are very great sinners], love [RHQ] those who love them. [If you act like them], ([you are not any different from tax collectors!/in what way are you different from tax collectors]?) [RHQ]
Nxa lithanda labo abalithandayo kuphela, lizazuza mvuzo bani na? Kabenzi njalo na labathelisi?
47 If you want [God] to bless only your friends, (you are not acting any better than other people!/are you acting any better than other people?) [RHQ] Even the non-Jews, [who you think sin very much] (OR, [you think are unacceptable to God]), want God to bless their friends [RHQ], [but God does not reward them for that].
Nxa libingelela abafowenu bodwa, kuyini elikwenzayo okwedlula abanye na? Kabenzi lokho labahedeni na?
48 [You need to love those who do not love you], and in that way become perfect as [God] your Father, [who is] in heaven, is perfect.”
Ngakho wobani ngabapheleleyo njengalokhu uYihlo osezulwini ephelele.”
