< Matiu 5 >
1 Mgbe Jisọs hụrụ igwe mmadụ ahụ, ọ rigooro nʼelu ugwu. Mgbe ọ nọdụrụ ala, ndị na-eso ụzọ ya bịakwutere ya,
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].
2 o bido ikuziri ha ihe. Ọ sịrị:
Then he began to teach them by saying,
3 “Ngọzị na-adịrị ndị bụ ogbenye nʼime mmụọ, nʼihi na alaeze eluigwe bụ nke ha.
[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.
4 Ngọzị na-adịrị ndị na-eru ụjụ, nʼihi na a ga-akasị ha obi.
[God] is pleased with people who mourn [because they have sinned; ] they will be encouraged {he will encourage them.}
5 Ngọzị na-adịrị ndị dị nwayọọ nʼobi, nʼihi na ha ga-eketa ụwa.
[God] is pleased with people who are meek; they will inherit the earth [that God will recreate].
6 Ngọzị na-adịrị ndị agụụ ezi omume na-agụ, nʼihi na ndị ahụ ka afọ ga-eju.
[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].
7 Ngọzị na-adịrị ndị na-eme obi ebere, nʼihi na ha ka a ga-emere ebere.
[God] is pleased with people who act mercifully; he will act mercifully to them.
8 Ngọzị na-adịrị ndị dị ọcha nʼobi, nʼihi na ha ga-ahụ Chineke anya.
[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.
9 Ngọzị na-adịrị ndị na-eme ka udo dị nʼetiti mmadụ na ibe ya, nʼihi na a ga-akpọ ha ụmụ Chineke.
[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].
10 Ngọzị na-adịrị ndị a na-emegbu nʼihi ezi omume, nʼihi na alaeze eluigwe bụ nke ha.
[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.
11 “Ngọzị na-adịrị unu mgbe ndị mmadụ na-akọcha unu, na-emegbu unu, ma na-ekwukwa okwu ọjọọ na ụgha niile dị iche iche megide unu nʼihi m.
[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.
12 Ṅụrịanụ ọnụ, nwekwanụ obi ụtọ, nʼihi na ụgwọ ọrụ unu dị ukwuu nʼeluigwe. Nʼihi na nʼụzọ dị otu a ka ha sogburu ndị amụma ndị buru unu ụzọ.
[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.
13 “Unu bụ nnu nke ụwa, ma ọ bụrụ na nnu adịghị atọkwa ụtọ, a ga-eji gịnị mee ka ọ tọọ ụtọ ọzọ? Ọ bakwaghị uru ọbụla, ma ọ bụghị naanị itufu ya, ka ndị mmadụ zọọ ya ụkwụ.
“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].
14 “Unu bụ ihe nke ụwa. Unu dị ka obodo e wuru nʼelu ugwu nke a na-apụghị izo ezo.
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].
15 Ndị mmadụ adịghị amụnye oriọna dọnye ya nʼokpuru igbe, kama a na-adọkwasị ya nʼelu ihe ịdọba oriọna, ka o nye ndị niile nọ nʼụlọ ahụ ìhè.
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.
16 Ya mere, kwerenụ ka ìhè unu nwuo nye mmadụ niile, ka ndị mmadụ hụ ọrụ ọma unu, tookwa Nna unu nke bi nʼeluigwe.
[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.”
17 “Unu echela na m bịara ịkagbu iwu Mosis, maọbụ ozizi ndị amụma. Abịaghị m ịkagbu akagbu, kama abịara m imezu ha.
“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].
18 Nʼezie, agwa m unu, na tutu eluigwe na ụwa agabiga, ọ dịghị otu mkpụrụ edemede ọbụla dị nta, ọ bụladị nke dịkarịsịrị nta, nke a ga-esi nʼIwu a wepụ ruo mgbe ha niile ga emezu.
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.
19 Nʼihi ya, onye ọbụla nke ga-emebi otu nʼime iwu ndị a, ọ bụladị nke dịkarịsịrị nta, ma kuziekwara ndị ọzọ ime otu ahụ, a ga-agụ onye ahụ nʼonye dịkarịsịrị nta nʼalaeze eluigwe. Ma onye na-ezi ụmụ mmadụ ka ha debe iwu ahụ, ma na-emekwa okwu ndị ahụ nʼonwe ya, a ga-akpọ ya onye dị ukwuu nʼalaeze eluigwe.
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.
20 Ka m dọọ unu aka na ntị. Ọ bụrụ na ezi omume unu akarịghị ezi omume ndị Farisii na ndị ozizi iwu, unu apụghị ịba nʼalaeze eluigwe ma ọlị.
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.”
21 “Unu nụrụ na-agwara ndị mmadụ nʼoge gara aga, sị, ‘Onye egbula mmadụ, onye ọbụla gburu mmadụ a ga-ekpe ya ikpe.’
“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]}.
22 Ma asị m unu, na onye ọbụla nke na-ewe iwe megide nwanna ya, na-enyefe onwe ya nʼaka ikpe. Onye ọbụla nke na-akpọ nwanna ya ‘Raka,’ ya bụ Onye iberiibe, ga-aza ajụjụ nʼụlọikpe. Ọzọkwa, onye ọbụla nke kpọrọ nwanne ya, ‘Onye nzuzu,’na-edo onwe ya ịba nʼọkụ ala mmụọ. (Geenna )
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 )
23 “Ya mere, ọ bụrụ na ị gaa inye onyinye gị nʼebe ịchụ aja, ma cheta nʼebe ahụ na gị na nwanne gị adịghị nʼudo,
So, when you take your gift [for God] to the altar, if you remember that you have offended someone,
24 hapụ onyinye gị nʼebe ịchụ aja, laa ka gị na nwanne gị kpezie. Mgbe unu mere udo, laghachi bịa nye onyinye gị.
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].
25 “Mee ọsịịsọ ka gị na onye kpọ gị eje ụlọ ikpe kpezie, mgbe ọ na-eburubeghị ikpe gị na ya jee nʼaka ọkaikpe, onye ga-enyefe gị nʼaka ndị nche, ma eleghị anya etinye gị nʼụlọ mkpọrọ.
[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.
26 Nʼezie, agwa m gị, ị gaghị e si nʼebe ahụ pụta ruo mgbe ị kwụghachiri kobo niile i ji.
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].”
27 “Unu nụrụ na e kwuru sị, ‘Akwala iko.’
“You have heard [God’s] commandment, ‘Do not commit adultery.’
28 Ma asị m unu, onye ọbụla lere nwanyị anya site na-agụụ ịkwa iko emeelarị mmehie ịkwa iko nʼime obi ya megide nwanyị ahụ.
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.
29 Nʼihi nke a, ọ bụrụ na anya aka nri gị na-eme ka i jehie, ghụpụ ya tufuo. Ọ kaara gị mma na i tufuru otu akụkụ ahụ gị baa nʼalaeze karịa na i ji ahụ zuruoke baa nʼọkụ ala mmụọ. (Geenna )
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 )
30 Ọ bụrụ na aka nri gị na-eme ka i jehie, gbupụ ya tufuo. Ọ kaara gị mma na i tufuru otu akụkụ ahụ gị ma baa nʼalaeze eluigwe, karịa na i ji ahụ zuruoke ma baa nʼọkụ ala mmụọ. (Geenna )
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 )
31 “E kwukwara sị, ‘Onye ọbụla chọrọ ịgbara nwunye ya alụkwaghị m, ga-ebu ụzọ dee akwụkwọ alụkwaghị m nye nwunye ya.’
“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.’
32 Ma asị m unu, onye ọbụla gbara nwunye ya alụkwaghị m, ma ọ bụghị nʼihi ịkwa iko, ọ na-etinye nwanyị ahụ nʼọnọdụ ga-eme ka ọ kwaa iko. Ọ bụrụ na nwanyị ahụ alụọ di ọzọ, nwoke ahụ lụrụ nwanyị ahụ na-emekwa mmehie ịkwa iko.
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.”
33 “Ọzọkwa, unu nụrụ na a gwara ndị mmadụ nʼoge gara aga sị, ‘Aṅụla iyi ụgha, kama mezuo ihe niile unu ṅụrụ nʼiyi nye Onyenwe anyị.’
“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]
34 Ma asị m unu aṅụla iyi ọbụla. Ejikwala eluigwe aṅụ iyi nʼihi na eluigwe bụ ebe ocheeze Chineke dị.
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].
35 Ejikwala ụwa aṅụ iyi nʼihi na ụwa bụ ebe mgbakwasị ụkwụ ya. Ejikwala Jerusalem aṅụ iyi nʼihi na ọ bụ obodo Eze ukwu ahụ.
[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].
36 Ejikwala isi gị aṅụ iyi nʼihi na ị pụghị ime ka otu agịrị isi gị dị ọcha maọbụ dị oji.
[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.
37 Aṅụla iyi ọbụla. Kama ka okwu unu bụrụ ‘E’ maọbụ ‘Ee’; ihe ọbụla gafere nke a sitere nʼaka ajọ onye ahụ.
[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.”
38 “Unu anụla na e kwuru sị, ‘Ọ bụ anya ka a kụkpọrọ, anya nʼọnọdụ anya. Ọ bụrụkwa otu eze ka e tipụrụ, eze nʼọnọdụ eze.’
“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.’
39 Ma ana m asị unu eguzogidela onye bụ ajọ onye. Kama ọ bụrụ na mmadụ amaa gị ụra na ntị aka nri, tụgharịara ya ntị nke ọzọ.
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].
40 Ọ bụrụ na mmadụ agbaa gị akwụkwọ nʼụlọikpe, ka ọ nara gị uwe ime gị, nyekwa ya uwe nke elu gị.
If someone wants to sue you and take your (inner garment/shirt), give him your (outer garment/coat) also.
41 Ọ bụrụ na mmadụ esite nʼike chọọ ka i soro ya gaa puku nzọ ụkwụ atọ, soro ya gaa puku nzọ ụkwụ isii.
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].
42 Nye onye ọbụla rịọrọ gị ihe. Achụghachikwala ndị na-abịa ka i binye ha ego.
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].”
43 “Unu nụrụ na e kwuru sị, ‘Hụnụ ndị agbataobi unu nʼanya, ma kpọkwanụ ndị iro unu asị.’
“You have heard [your religious teachers say that it is written that Moses wrote], ‘Love the citizens of your country and hate your enemies.’
44 Ma asị m unu, hụnụ ndị iro unu nʼanya, kpekwaaranụ ndị na-esogbu unu ekpere.
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.
45 Nke a ga-eme ka unu bụrụ ụmụ nke Nna unu bi nʼeluigwe, onye na-eme ka anwụ mụọrọ ndị ọma na ndị ọjọọ, na-emekwa ka mmiri zooro ndị ezi omume na ndị ajọ omume.
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].
46 Ọ bụrụ naanị ndị hụrụ unu nʼanya ka unu na-ahụ nʼanya, gịnị ga-abụ ụgwọ ọrụ unu? Ọ bụladị ndị ọna ụtụ na-emekwa otu a.
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]
47 Ọ bụrụkwa na unu na-ekele naanị ndị enyi unu ekele, ọ dịghị ihe ọbụla dị iche nʼebe unu na ndị ọzọ nọ. Nʼihi na ndị na-amaghị Chineke na-emekwa otu ahụ.
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].
48 Ya mere, unu kwesiri izuoke nʼịrụ ọrụ ọma, dịka Nna unu bi nʼeluigwe si zukwaa oke.
[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.”