21 Authentic Jesus Sayings from

The Sermon on the Mount

~The Marginal Mennonite Version~
(Revised June 22, 2013) The Sermon on the Mount is defined as the 40+ sayings of Jesus found in Matthew 5, 6 and 7. Almost half of those sayings are considered by scholars to be non-authentic (meaning they were created by the early church rather than originating with Jesus). Nonauthentic sayings are not included here. Most of the Sermon sayings have parallel versions in other gospels (Sayings Gospel Q, Gospel of Thomas, Mark and Luke). Sometimes the parallels are in simpler form than the versions in Matthew, and thus probably closer to what Jesus actually said. Below are 21 of the most authentic Sermon sayings (including parallels), in the order found in Matthew. The version given first (in larger type) is the one considered closest to the original. Also provided are passages from the Jewish Scriptures that Jesus may have had in mind when formulating his sayings. Similar sayings from other, older traditions are offered as well.

Luke 6:20: Congratulations, you poor! The kingdom of God belongs to you.
Compare to: Sayings Gospel Q 6:20: Blessed are you poor; Gods reign is for you. Gospel of Thomas 54: Congratulations to the poor, for to you belongs the kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5:3: Congratulations to the poor in spirit! The kingdom of Heaven belongs to them. Jewish Scriptures behind the saying: Isaiah 61:1-2: Hes sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and release to prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lords favor, and the day of Gods vengeance, to comfort all who mourn. Psalms 41:1: Happy are those who consider the poor; the Lord delivers them in the day of trouble. Proverbs 14:21: Those who despise their neighbors are sinners, but happy are those who are kind to the poor. Proverbs 22:22-23a: Do not rob the poor because they are poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate; for the Lord pleads their cause. Sayings from other traditions: Buddha, Dhammapada v. 200: Oh, with what ease we live, we who have nothing! We will become as the radiant ones, feeding on joy. Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 22: Be broken to be whole. Twist to be straight. Be empty to be full. Wear out to be renewed. Have little and gain much. Have much and get confused. Amen-em-ope, Teaching 2: Do not steal from the poor, do not cheat the cripple. Amen-em-ope, Teaching 28: The gods desire respect for the poor, more than honor for the powerful.

Luke 6:21b: Congratulations, you who weep now! You will laugh.
Compare to: Sayings Gospel Q 6:21b: Blessed are you who mourn; you will be consoled. Matthew 5:4: Congratulations to those who grieve! They will be consoled. Jewish Scriptures behind the saying: Isaiah 25:8: Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth. Psalms 126:5: May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. Psalms 147:3: The Lord heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.

Luke 6:21a: Congratulations, you hungry! You will have a feast.

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Compare to: Sayings Gospel Q 6:21a: Blessed are you who hunger; you will eat your fill. Gospel of Thomas 69:2: Congratulations to those who go hungry, so the stomach of the one in want may be filled. Matthew 5:6: Congratulations to those who hunger and thirst for justice! They will have a feast. Jewish Scriptures behind the saying: Isaiah 25:6: On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. Isaiah 55:1: Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters. And you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Psalms 107:8-9: Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things. Psalms 146:5 & 7: Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry.

Luke 14:34-35: Salt is good and salty. But if salt loses its zing, how will it be renewed? Its no good for either earth or manure. It just gets thrown away.
Compare to: Sayings Gospel Q 14:34-35: Salt is good. But if salt becomes insipid, with what will it be seasoned? Neither for the earth nor for the dunghill is it fit. It gets thrown out. Mark 9:50a: Salt is good and salty. If salt becomes bland, with what will you renew it? Matthew 5:13: If salt loses its zing, how will it be made salty? It then has no further use than to be thrown out and stomped on. Jewish Scripture behind the saying: Job 6:6: Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt, or is there any flavor in the juice of mallows?

Matthew 5:14b: A city sitting on top of a mountain cant be concealed.

Compare to: Gospel of Thomas 32: A city built on a high hill and fortified cannot fall, nor can it be hidden. Jewish Scripture behind the saying: Isaiah 2:2-4: In days to come the mountain of the Lords house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths. For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Matthew 5:15: No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bushel basket, but on a lampstand, where it sheds light for everyone in the house.
Compare to: Sayings Gospel Q 11:33: No one lights a lamp and puts it in a hidden place, but on the lampstand, and it gives light for everyone in the house. Gospel of Thomas 33:2-3: After all, no one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, nor does one put it in a hidden place. Rather, one puts it on a lampstand so that all who come and go will see its light. Mark 4:21: Since when is the lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket or under the bed? Its put on the lampstand, isnt it? Luke 8:16: No one lights a lamp and covers it with a pot or puts it under a bed. Rather, one puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in can see the light. Luke 11:33: No one lights a lamp and then puts it in a cellar or under a bushel basket, but rather on a lampstand so that those who come in can see the light. Jewish Scriptures behind the saying:
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Isaiah 42:6-7: I have given you as a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeons, from the prison those who sit in darkness. Isaiah 49:6b: I will give you as a light to the nations, so my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. Isaiah 51:4: Listen to me, my people, and give heed to me, my nation. For a teaching will go out from me, and my justice for a light to the peoples.

Luke 6:29: When someone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other as well. When someone takes away your coat, dont prevent that person from taking your shirt along with it.
Compare to: Sayings Gospel Q 6:29: The one who slaps you on the cheek, offer him the other as well. And to the person wanting to take you to court and get your shirt, turn over to him the coat as well. Matthew 5:39-40: Dont react violently against the one who is evil. When someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other as well. When someone wants to sue you for your shirt, let that person have your coat along with it. Jewish Scriptures behind the saying: Isaiah 50:6: I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard. I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. Proverbs 20:22: Do not say I will repay evil; wait for the Lord, and he will help you. Lamentations 3:27 & 30: It is good for one to bear the yoke in youth to give ones cheek to the smiter, and be filled with insults. Sayings from other traditions: Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 63: Strive not to struggle -- achieve just by being. Savor the flavorless -- value the unimportant. Meet unkindness with compassion. Buddha, Majjhima Nikaya 21.6: If anyone should give you a blow with his hand, with a stick, or with a knife, you should abandon any desires and utter no evil words.

Luke 6:30: Give to everyone who begs from you; and when someone takes your things, dont ask for them back.
Compare to: Sayings Gospel Q 6:30: To the one who asks of you, give. And from the one who borrows, do not ask back what is yours. Matthew 5:42a: Give to the one who begs from you. Jewish Scripture behind the saying: Deuteronomy 15:7-8: If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns within the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted towards your needy neighbor. You should rather open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need, whatever it may be. Deuteronomy 15:11b: I command you: Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land. Psalms 37:26: The righteous are always giving liberally and lending, and their children become a blessing. Saying from other tradition: Buddha, Dhammapada v. 224: One should speak truthfully. One should not get angry. When asked, one should give, even if there is just a little. With these three traits, one would go in the presence of the radiant ones.

Gospel of Thomas 95:1-2: If you have money, dont lend it at interest. Rather, give it to someone from whom you wont get it back.
Compare to: Sayings Gospel Q 6:32, 34: If you love those loving you, what reward do you have? Do not even tax collectors do the same? And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what reward do you have? Do not even Gentiles do the same? Matthew 5:42b, 46: Dont turn away from the one who tries to borrow from you. If you love those who love you, why should you be commended for that? Even the toll collectors do as much, dont they?
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Luke 6:32, 34-35a: If you love those who love you, what merit is there in that? After all, even sinners love those who love them. If you lend to those from whom you hope to gain, what merit is there in that? Even sinners lend to sinners, in order to get as much in return. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Jewish Scriptures behind the saying: Exodus 22:25: If you lend money to my people, to the poor among you, you shall not deal with them as a creditor. You shall not exact interest from them. Leviticus 25:35-37: If any of your kin fall into difficulty and become dependent on you, you shall support them. They shall live with you as though resident aliens. Do not take interest in advance or otherwise make a profit from them, but fear your God. Let them live with you. You shall not lend them your money at interest taken in advance, or provide them food at a profit.

Matthew 5:44: Love your enemies. And pray for your persecutors.
Compare to: Sayings Gospel Q 6:27-28: Love your enemies. Pray for those persecuting you. Luke 6:27-28: Love your enemies, do favors for those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for your abusers. Jewish Scriptures behind the saying: Exodus 23:4-5: When you come upon your enemys ox or donkey going astray, you shall bring it back. When you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden and you would hold back from setting it free, you must help to set it free. Leviticus 19:18: You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. Leviticus 19:34: The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you. You shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. Deuteronomy 10:17-19: For the Lord your God is God of gods, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphans and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. Proverbs 24:17: Do not rejoice when your enemies fall, and do not let your heart be glad when they stumble. Proverbs 25:21: If your enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat. And if they are thirsty, give them water to drink. Hosea 6:6: For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. Sayings from other traditions: Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 27: The sage is good at helping everyone. For that reason there is no rejected person. Buddha, Dhammapada v. 5-6: Never in this world has hate ever cast out hate. Love alone wins over hate. This is an ancient truth. With this and the knowledge that we will all die, how can you argue with each other?

Matthew 5:45b: God causes the sun to rise on both the bad and the good, and sends rain on both the just and the unjust.
Compare to: Sayings Gospel Q 6:35d: He raises his sun on bad and good, and rains on the just and unjust. Luke 6:35d: As you know, he is generous to the ungrateful and the wicked. Jewish Scriptures behind the saying: Genesis 12:3b: Through you, Abraham, all the families of the earth will be blessed. Psalms 145:9: The Lord is good to all and his compassion is over all that he has made. Proverbs 29:13: The poor and the oppressor have this in common: the Lord gives light to the eyes of both. Job 25:3: Is there any number to his armies? Upon whom does his light not arise? Ecclesiastes 9:2: The same fate comes to all, to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to those who sacrifice and those who do not sacrifice. As are the good, so are the sinners; those who swear are like those who shun an oath. Malachi 1:11: From the suns rising to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name. For my name is great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.
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Sayings from other traditions: Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 5: The Tao doesnt take sides; it gives birth to both good and evil. The Master doesnt take sides; she welcomes both saints and sinners. Buddha, Sadharmapundarika Sutra 5: That great cloud rains down on all whether their nature is superior or inferior. The light of the sun and the moon illuminates the whole world, both she who does well and she who does ill, both she who stands high and she who stands low.

Luke 6:36: Be merciful and compassionate, in the way your Father is merciful and compassionate.
Compare to: Sayings Gospel Q 6:36: Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Matthew 5:48: You are to be unstinting in your generosity in the way your heavenly Fathers generosity is unstinting. Jewish Scriptures behind the saying: Exodus 33:19b: I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. Exodus 34:6b-7a: The Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. Leviticus 19:2b: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. Deuteronomy 4:31a: Because the Lord is a merciful God, he will neither abandon you nor destroy you. 2 Samuel 14:14: We must all die; we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up. But God will not take away a life; he will devise plans so as not to keep an outcast banished forever from his presence. Ezekiel 33:11: As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but prefer that they turn from their ways and live. Psalms 103:8: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Lamentations 3:22: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end. Lamentations 3:31-33: For the Lord will not reject forever. Although he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love. For he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone. Hosea 11:8-9: How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my fierce anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and no mortal, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath. Micah 6:8: He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 7:18b-19: God does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in showing clemency. He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot, and cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. Zechariah 7:9-10: Thus says the Lord: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another. Saying from other tradition: Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 67: I have just 3 things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These 3 are your greatest treasures. Simple in actions and in thoughts, you return to the source of being. Patient with both friends and enemies, you accord with the way things are. Compassionate toward yourself, you reconcile all beings in the world.

Luke 11:2b: Father, your name be revered. Impose your imperial rule.
Compare to: Sayings Gospel Q 11:2b: Father, may your name be kept holy. Let your reign come. Matthew 6:9b-10a: Our Father in the heavens, your name be revered. Impose your imperial rule. Jewish Scripture behind the saying: Deuteronomy 32:6b: Is God not your Father, who created you, who made you and established you? Isaiah 64:8: Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter. We are all the work of your hand. Psalms 68:5: Father of orphans and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. Psalms 82:6: I say: You are gods, children of the Most High, all of you.
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Malachi 2:10a: Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us all?

Matthew 6:11-12: Provide us with the bread we need for the day. Forgive our debts to the extent that we have forgiven those in debt to us.
Compare to: Sayings Gospel Q 11:3-4a: Give us our daily bread today. And cancel our debts for us, as we too have cancelled for those in debt to us. Luke 11:3-4a: Provide us with the bread we need day by day. Forgive our sins, since we too forgive everyone in debt to us. Jewish Scripture behind the saying: Exodus 16:4a: Then the Lord said to Moses, I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. Proverbs 30:8: Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that I need.

Luke 6:37c: Forgive, and youll be forgiven.

Compare to: Mark 11:25: And when you stand up to pray, if you are holding anything against anyone, forgive them, so your Father in heaven may forgive your misdeeds. Matthew 6:14-15: If you forgive others their failures and offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive yours. And if you dont forgive the failures and mistakes of others, your Father wont forgive yours. Jewish Scripture behind the saying: Isaiah 12:1: You will say in that day: I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, and you comforted me. Isaiah 44:22: I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me for I have redeemed you. Jeremiah 31:33b-34: I have put my truth in your innermost mind, and I have written it in your heart. No longer does a person need to teach his sister or brother about God. For all of you know Me, from the most ignorant to the most learned, from the poorest to the most powerful. I will forgive your iniquities, and remember your sins no more.

Matthew 6:19-21: Do not acquire possessions here on earth, where moth or insect eats away and robbers break in and steal. Instead, gather your nest egg in heaven, where neither moth nor insect eats away and where no robbers break in or steal. As you know, what you treasure is your hearts true measure.
Compare to: Sayings Gospel Q 12:33-34: Do not treasure for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and gnawing deface and where robbers dig through and rob. But treasure for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor gnawing defaces and where robbers do not dig through nor rob. For where your treasure is, there will also be your heart. Gospel of Thomas 76:3: Seek his treasure that is unfailing, that is enduring, where no moth comes to eat and no worm destroys. Luke 12:33-34: Sell your belongings, and donate to charity. Make yourselves purses that dont wear out, with inexhaustible wealth in heaven, where no robber can get to it and no moth can destroy it. As you know, what you treasure is your hearts true measure. Jewish Scriptures behind the saying: Isaiah 51:8: For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool. Proverbs 23:4-5: Do not wear yourself out to get rich. Be wise enough to desist. When your eyes light upon it, it is gone, for suddenly it takes wings to itself, flying like an eagle toward heaven. Sayings from other traditions: Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 9: Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench. Care about peoples approval and you will be their prisoner. Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity.
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Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 46: When the worlds on the Way, they use horses to haul manure. When the world gets off the Way, they breed warhorses on the common. The greatest evil: wanting more. The worst luck: discontent. Greeds the curse of life. Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 70: The sage wears rough clothing, and holds the jewel in her heart. Buddha, Khuddakapatha 8.9: Let the wise person do righteousness: A treasure that others cannot share, which no thief can steal. A treasure which does not pass away. Buddha, Jatakamala 5.5 & 15: Riches make most people greedy, and so are like caravans lurching down the road to perdition. Any possession that increases selfishness or does nothing to confirm ones wish to renounce what one has is nothing but a drawback in disguise. Amen-em-ope, Teaching 7: Do not set your heart on material goods; time makes beggars of us all. Do not work to lay up a surplus; toil only for what you need. At night, stolen goods dig a hole into the underworld; they fly away like geese into the sky.

Matthew 6:24: No one can be a slave to two masters. No doubt that slave will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and disdain the other. You cant be enslaved to both God and a bank account!
Compare to: Sayings Gospel Q 16:13: No one can be a slave to two owners. For a person will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot be a slave to God and Mammon. Gospel of Thomas 47:2: And a slave cannot serve two masters, otherwise that slave will honor the one and offend the other. Luke 16:13: No servant can be a slave to two masters. No doubt that slave will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and disdain the other. You cant be enslaved to both God and a bank account. Jewish Scriptures behind the saying: Deuteronomy 6:5: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Saying from other tradition: Buddha, Dhammapada v. 75: The way to material gain is one thing, the path to Nirvana another. Knowing this, a monk who is the Buddhas disciple should not delight in being venerated, but should cultivate detachment instead.

Matthew 6:25-30: Dont fret about your life, what youre going to eat and drink, or about your body, what youre going to wear. There is more to living than food and clothing, isnt there? Take a look at the birds of the sky. They dont plant or harvest, or gather into barns. Yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Youre worth more than they, arent you? Can any of you add one hour to life by fretting about it? Why worry about clothes? Notice how the wild lilies grow. They dont slave and they never spin. Yet let me tell you: even Solomon at the height of his glory was never decked out like one of them. If God dresses up the grass in the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into an oven, wont God care for you even more, you who dont take anything for granted?
Compare to: Sayings Gospel Q 12:22-28: Dont be anxious about your life, what you are to eat, nor about your body, with what you are to clothe yourself. Isnt life more than food, and the body than clothing? Consider the ravens: They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet God feeds them. Are you not better than the birds? And who of you by being anxious is able to add to ones stature a cubit? And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe the lilies, how they grow: They do not work nor do they spin. Yet I tell you: Not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed like one of these. But if in the field the grass, there today and tomorrow thrown into the oven, God clothes thus, will he not much more clothe you, persons of petty faith! Gospel of Thomas 36:1-2: Do not fret, from morning to evening and from evening to morning, about your food, what youre going to eat, or about your clothing, what you are going to wear. Youre much better than the lilies, which neither card nor spin. Luke 12:22-28: Thats why I tell you: dont fret about life, what youre going to eat, or about your body, what youre going to wear. Remember, there is more to living than food and clothing. Think about the crows: they dont plant or
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harvest, they dont have storerooms or barns. Yet God feeds them. Youre worth a lot more than the birds! Can any of you add an hour to life by fretting about it? So if you cant do a little thing like that, why worry about the rest? Think about how the lilies grow: they dont slave and they never spin. Yet let me tell you, even Solomon at the height of his glory was never decked out like one of these. If God dresses up the grass in the field, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into an oven, it is surely more likely God cares for you, you who dont take anything for granted! Jewish Scriptures behind the saying: Psalms 147:9: The Lord gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry. Job 12:7-9: Ask the animals, theyll teach you. Ask the birds of the air, theyll tell you. Ask the plants of the earth, theyll teach you. And the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? Job 38:41: Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God, and wander about for lack of food? Song of Solomon 6:2-3: My lover has gone down to his garden, to the bed of spices, to browse in the gardens and to gather lilies. I am my lovers and my lover is mine. He browses among the lilies. Sayings from other traditions: Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 48: In the practice of the Tao, every day something is dropped. Less and less do you need to force things, until finally you arrive at non-action. When nothing is done, nothing is left undone. Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 73: The way of heaven doesnt compete yet wins handily, doesnt speak yet answers fully, doesnt summon yet attracts. It acts perfectly easily. The net of heaven is vast, vast, wide-meshed, yet misses nothing. Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 81: Wise souls dont hoard. The more they do for others the more they have, the more they give the richer they are. The Way of heaven profits without destroying. Doing without outdoing is the Way of the wise. Buddha, Dhammapada v. 46: Those who realize that the body is no more substantial than the froth that floats on the waves of the sea understand that this life is nothing more than a mirage. Buddha, Dhammapada v. 92: Like the path of birds in the sky, it is hard to trace the path of those who do not hoard, who are judicious with their food, and whose field is the freedom of emptiness and signlessness. Amen-em-ope, Teaching 18: Do not go to bed worrying, wondering: What will tomorrow bring?

Gospel of Thomas 26:1-2: You see the sliver in your friends eye, but you dont see the timber in your own eye. When you take the timber out of your own eye, then you will see well enough to remove the sliver from your friends eye.
Compare to: Sayings Gospel Q 6:41-42: Why do you see the speck in your brothers eye, but the beam in your own eye you overlook? How can you say to your brother: Let me throw out the speck from your eye. And just look at the beam in your own eye? Hypocrite! First throw out from your own eye the beam, and then you will see clearly to throw out the speck in your brothers eye. Matthew 7:3-5: Why do you notice the sliver in your friends eye, but overlook the timber in your own? How can you say to your friend, Let me get the sliver out of your eye, when there is that timber in your own? You phony, first take the timber out of your own eye and then youll see well enough to remove the sliver from your friends eye. Luke 6:41-42: Why do you notice the sliver in your friends eye, but overlook the timber in your own? How can you say to your friend, Friend, let me get the sliver in your eye, when you do not notice the timber in your own? You phony, first take the timber out of your own eye, and then youll see well enough to remove the sliver in your friends eye. Jewish Scripture behind the saying: Leviticus 19:17: You shall not hate in your heart any one of your kin. You shall reason frankly with your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. Sayings from other tradition: Buddha, Dhammapada v. 50: Look not at the faults of others nor at what they do or leave undone; but only at your own deeds and deeds unachieved. Buddha, Dhammapada v. 252: It is easy to see the faults of others, but difficult to see ones own. The faults of others you sift like a husk, but conceal your own, like a deceitful gambler conceals a bad roll of the die.

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Matthew 7:7-8: Ask, itll be given to you. Seek, youll find. Knock, itll be opened for you. Rest assured: everyone who asks receives, everyone who seeks finds, and for the one who knocks it is opened.
Compare to: Sayings Gospel Q 11:9-10: Ask, and itll be given to you. Search, and youll find. Knock, and itll be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Gospel of Thomas 94:1-2: One who seeks will find, and for one who knocks it will be opened. Luke 11:9-10: So I tell you: Ask, itll be given to you. Seek, youll find. Knock, itll be opened for you. Rest assured: everyone who asks receives, everyone who seeks finds, and for the one who knocks it is opened. Jewish Scriptures behind the saying: Isaiah 65:1: I was ready to be sought out by those who did not ask, to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, Here I am, here I am, to a nation that did not call on my name. Jeremiah 29:13: When you search for me you will find me, if you seek me with all your heart. Psalms 65:2: O you who answer prayer! To you all flesh shall come. Proverbs 8:17: I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. Sayings from other tradition: Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 15: Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving till the right action arises by itself? The Master doesnt seek fulfillment. Not seeking, not expecting, she is present, and can welcome all things. Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 62: Why did the ancient Masters esteem the Tao? Because, being one with the Tao, when you seek, you find; and when you make a mistake, youre forgiven. Thats why everybody loves it.

Matthew 7:9-11: Who among you would hand a child a stone when its bread theyre asking for? Again, who would hand a child a snake when its fish theyre asking for? Of course no one would! So if you know how to give your children good gifts, isnt it much more likely that your Father in the heavens will give good things to those who ask?
Compare to: Gospel Sayings Q 11:11-13: What person of you, whose son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or again when he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? So if you know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father from heaven give good things to those who ask him. Luke 11:11-13: Which of you parents would hand your children a snake when its fish theyre asking for? Or a scorpion when its an egg theyre asking for? So if you know how to give your children good gifts, isnt it much more likely that the heavenly Father will give holy spirit to those who ask? Jewish Scriptures behind the saying: Isaiah 49:15: Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Isaiah 66:13a: As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you. Psalms 103:13: As a parent has compassion for his or her children, so God has compassion for those who revere the Eternal. Saying from other tradition: Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 59: Tolerant like the sky, all-pervading like sunlight, firm like a mountain, supple like a branch in the wind, the sage has no destination in view and makes use of anything life happens to bring his way. Nothing is impossible for him. Because he has let go, he can care for the peoples welfare as a mother cares for her child. Buddha, Sutta Nipata 149-150: Just as a mother would protect her only child at the risk of her own life, even so, cultivate a boundless heart towards all beings. Let your thoughts of boundless love pervade the whole world.

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The Sermon on the Mount in

The Jewish Scriptures

c. 9th century to 8th century BCE (900-700 BCE) Genesis: 12:3b: Through you, Abraham, all the families of the earth will be blessed. [J Source] (see Matthew 5:45b, Luke 6:35d) Exodus: 16:4a: Then the Lord said to Moses, I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. [J Source] (see Matthew 6:11-12, Luke 11:3-4a) 22:25: If you lend money to my people, to the poor among you, you shall not deal with them as a creditor. You shall not exact interest from them. [E Source] (see Gospel of Thomas 95:1-2, Matthew 5:42b, Luke 6:34-35a) 23:4-5: When you come upon your enemys ox or donkey going astray, you shall bring it back. When you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden and you would hold back from setting it free, you must help to set it free. [E Source] (see Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27-28) 33:19b: I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. [E Source] (see Luke 6:36, Matthew 5:48) 34:6b-7a: The Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. [J Source] (see Luke 6:36, Matthew 5:48) c. 727-698 BCE (late 8th century BCE)
(Reign of King Hezekiah of Judah) Leviticus: 19:2b: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. [P Source] (see Luke 6:36, Matthew 5:48) 19:17: You shall not hate in your heart any one of your kin. You shall reason frankly with your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. [P Source] (see Gospel of Thomas 26:1-2, Matthew 7:3-5, Luke 6:41-42) 19:18: You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. [P Source] (see Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27-28) 19:34: The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you. You shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. [P Source] (see Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27-28) 25:35-37: If any of your kin fall into difficulty and become dependent on you, you shall support them. They shall live with you as though resident aliens. Do not take interest in advance or otherwise make a profit from them, but fear your God. Let them live with you. You shall not lend them your money at interest taken in advance, or provide them food at a profit. [P Source] (see Gospel of Thomas 95:1-2, Matthew 5:42b, Luke 6:34-35a) First Isaiah: 2:2-4: In days to come the mountain of the Lords house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths. For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (see Matthew 5:14b, Gospel of Thomas 32) 12:1: You will say in that day: I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, and you comforted me. (see Luke 6:37c, Matthew 6:14-15, Mark 11:25) 25:6: On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. (see Luke 6:21a, Matthew 5:6, Gospel of Thomas 69:2) 25:8: Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth. (see Luke 6:21b, Matthew 5:4) Hosea: 6:6: For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. (see Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27-28) 11:8-9: How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my fierce anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and no mortal, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath. (see Luke 6:36, Matthew 5:48)
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Micah: 6:8: He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? (see Luke 6:36, Matthew 5:48) 7:18b-19: God does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in showing clemency. He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot, and cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. (see Luke 6:36, Matthew 5:48) Proverbs: 8:17: I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. (see Matthew 7:7-8, Luke 11:9-10, Gospel of Thomas 94:1-2) 14:21: Those who despise their neighbors are sinners, but happy are those who are kind to the poor. (see Luke 6:20, Matthew 5:3, Gospel of Thomas 54) 20:22: Do not say I will repay evil; wait for the Lord, and he will help you. (see Luke 6:29, Matthew 5:39-40) 22:22-23a: Do not rob the poor because they are poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate; for the Lord pleads their cause. (see Luke 6:20, Matthew 5:3, Gospel of Thomas 54) 23:4-5: Do not wear yourself out to get rich. Be wise enough to desist. When your eyes light upon it, it is gone, for suddenly it takes wings to itself, flying like an eagle toward heaven. (see Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 12:33-34, Gospel of Thomas 76:3) 24:17: Do not rejoice when your enemies fall, and do not let your heart be glad when they stumble. (see Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27-28) 25:21: If your enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat. And if they are thirsty, give them water to drink. (see Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27-28) 29:13: The poor and the oppressor have this in common: the Lord gives light to the eyes of both. (see Matthew 5:45b, Luke 6:35d) 30:8: Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that I need. (see Matthew 6:11-12, Luke 11:34a) Song of Solomon: 6:2-3: My lover has gone down to his garden, to the bed of spices, to browse in the gardens and to gather lilies. I am my lovers and my lover is mine. He browses among the lilies. (see Matthew 6:25-30, Luke 12:22-28, Gospel of Thomas 36:1-2)

c. 639-609 BCE (late 7th century BCE)

(Reign of King Josiah of Judah) Deuteronomy: 4:31a: Because the Lord your God is a merciful God, he will neither abandon you nor destroy you. (see Luke 6:36, Matthew 5:48) 6:5: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (see Matthew 6:24, Luke 6:13, Gospel of Thomas 47:2) 10:17-19: For the Lord your God is God of gods, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphans and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. (see Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27-28) 15:7-8: If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns within the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted towards your needy neighbor. You should rather open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need, whatever it may be. (see Luke 6:30a, Matthew 5:42a) 15:11b: I command you: Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land. (see Luke 6:30a, Matthew 5:42a) 32:6b: Is God not your Father, who created you, who made you and established you? (see Luke 11:2b, Matthew 6:9b-10a) 2 Samuel: 14:14: We must all die; we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up. But God will not take away a life; he will devise plans so as not to keep an outcast banished forever from his presence. (see Luke 6:36, Matthew 5:48)

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c. 6th century BCE (600-500 BCE)

Second Isaiah: 42:6-7: I have given you as a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeons, from the prison those who sit in darkness. (see Matthew 5:15, Luke 8:16, Luke 11:33, Mark 4:21, Gospel of Thomas 33:2-3) 44:22: I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me for I have redeemed you. (see Luke 6:37c, Matthew 6:14-15, Mark 11:25) 49:6b: I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. (see Matthew 5:15, Luke 8:16, Luke 11:33, Mark 4:21, Gospel of Thomas 33:2-3) 49:15: Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. (see Matthew 7:9-11, Luke 11:11-13) 50:6: I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard. I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. (see Luke 6:29, Matthew 5:39-40) 51:4: Listen to me, my people, and give heed to me, my nation. For a teaching will go out from me, and my justice for a light to the peoples. (see Matthew 5:15, Luke 8:16, Luke 11:33, Mark 4:21, Gospel of Thomas 33:2-3) 51:8: For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool. (see Matthew 6:1921, Luke 12:33-34, Gospel of Thomas 76:3) 55:1: Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters. And you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (see Luke 6:21a, Matthew 5:6, Gospel of Thomas 69:2) Jeremiah: 29:13: When you search for me you will find me, if you seek me with all your heart. (see Matthew 7:7-8, Luke 11:9-10, Gospel of Thomas 94:1-2) 31:33b-34: I have put my truth in your innermost mind, and I have written it in your heart. No longer does a person need to teach his sister or brother about God. For all of you know Me, from the most ignorant to the most learned, from the poorest to the most powerful. I will forgive your iniquities, and remember your sins no more. (see Luke 6:37c, Matthew 6:14-15, Mark 11:25) Ezekiel: 33:11: As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but prefer that they turn from their ways and live. (see Luke 6:36, Matthew 5:48) Lamentations: 3:22: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end. (see Luke 6:36, Matthew 5:48) 3:27 & 30: It is good for one to bear the yoke in youth to give ones cheek to the smiter, and be filled with insults. (see Luke 6:29, Matthew 5:39-40) 3:31-33: For the Lord will not reject forever. Although he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love. For he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone. (see Luke 6:36, Matthew 5:48)

c. 5th century BCE (500-400 BCE) Third Isaiah: 61:1-2: Hes sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and release to prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lords favor, and the day of Gods vengeance, to comfort all who mourn. (see Luke 6:20, Matthew 5:3, Gospel of Thomas 54) 64:8: Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter. We are all the work of your hand. (see Luke 11:2b, Matthew 6:9b-10a) 65:1: I was ready to be sought out by those who did not ask, to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, Here I am, here I am, to a nation that did not call on my name. (see Matthew 7:7-8, Luke 11:9-10, Gospel of Thomas 94:1-2) 66:13a: As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you. (see Matthew 7:9-11, Luke 11:11-13) Zechariah: 7:9-10: Thus says the Lord: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another. (see Luke 6:36, Matthew 5:48) Malachi: 1:11: From the suns rising to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name. For my name is great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts. (see Matthew 5:45b, Luke 6:35d) 2:10a: Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us all? (see Luke 11:2b, Matthew 6:9b-10a)
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Job: 6:6: Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt, or is there any flavor in the juice of mallows? (see Luke 14:34-35, Matthew 5:13, Mark 9:50a) 12:7-9: Ask the animals, theyll teach you. Ask the birds of the air, theyll tell you. Ask the plants of the earth, theyll teach you. And the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? (see Matthew 6:25-30, Luke 12:22-28, Gospel of Thomas 36:1-2) 25:3: Is there any number to his armies? Upon whom does his light not arise? (Matthew 5:45b, Luke 6:35d) 38:41: Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God, and wander about for lack of food? (see Matthew 6:25-30, Luke 12:22-28, Gospel of Thomas 36:1-2)

c. 4th century BCE (400-300 BCE) Psalms: 37:26: The righteous are always giving liberally and lending, and their children become a blessing. (see Luke 6:30a, Matthew 5:42a) 41:1: Happy are those who consider the poor; the Lord delivers them in the day of trouble. (see Luke 6:20, Matthew 5:3, Gospel of Thomas 54) 65:2: O you who answer prayer! To you all flesh shall come. (see Matthew 7:7-8, Luke 11:9-10, Gospel of Thomas 94:1-2) 68:5: Father of orphans and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. (see Luke 11:2b, Matthew 6:9b10a) 82:6: I say: You are gods, children of the Most High, all of you. (see Luke 11:2b, Matthew 6:9b-10a) 103:8: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. (see Luke 6:36, Matthew 5:48) 103:13: As a parent has compassion for his or her children, so God has compassion for those who revere the Eternal. (see Matthew 7:9-11, Luke 11:11-13) 107:8-9: Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things. (see Luke 6:21a, Matthew 5:6, Gospel of Thomas 69:2) 126:5: May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. (see Luke 6:21b, Matthew 5:4) 145:9: The Lord is good to all and his compassion is over all that he has made. (see Matthew 5:45b, Luke 6:35d) 146:5 & 7: Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. (see Luke 6:21a, Matthew 5:6, Gospel of Thomas 69:2) 147:3: The Lord heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. (see Luke 6:21b, Matthew 5:4) 147:9: The Lord gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry. (see Matthew 6:25-30, Luke 12:22-28, Gospel of Thomas 36:1-2) Ecclesiastes: 9:2: The same fate comes to all, to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to those who sacrifice and those who do not sacrifice. As are the good, so are the sinners; those who swear are like those who shun an oath. (see Matthew 5:45b, Luke 6:35d)

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The Sermon on the Mount in

The Teachings of Amen-em-ope

(Egypt)
(10th century BCE? 9th century BCE?) Teaching 2: Do not steal from the poor, do not cheat the cripple. (see Luke 6:20, Matthew 5:3, Gospel of Thomas 54) Teaching 7: Do not set your heart on material goods; time makes beggars of us all. Do not work to lay up a surplus; toil only for what you need. At night, stolen goods dig a hole into the underworld; they fly away like geese into the sky. (see Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 12:33-34, Gospel of Thomas 76:3) Teaching 18: Do not go to bed worrying, wondering: What will tomorrow bring? (see Matthew 6:25-30, Luke 12:22-28, Gospel of Thomas 36:1-2) Teaching 28: The gods desire respect for the poor, more than honor for the powerful. (see Luke 6:20, Matthew 5:3, Gospel of Thomas 54)

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The Sermon on the Mount in

The Tao Te Ching

(Sayings of Lao Tzu) (China)
(6th century BCE? 5th century BCE?) Chapter 5: The Tao doesnt take sides; it gives birth to both good and evil. The Master doesnt take sides; she welcomes both saints and sinners. (see Matthew 5:45b, Luke 6:35d) Chapter 9: Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench. Care about peoples approval and you will be their prisoner. Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity. (see Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 12:33-34, Gospel of Thomas 76:3) Chapter 15: Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving till the right action arises by itself? The Master doesnt seek fulfillment. Not seeking, not expecting, she is present, and can welcome all things. (see Matthew 7:7-8, Luke 11:9-10, Gospel of Thomas 94:1-2) Chapter 22: Be broken to be whole. Twist to be straight. Be empty to be full. Wear out to be renewed. Have little and gain much. Have much and get confused. (see Luke 6:20, Matthew 5:3, Gospel of Thomas 54) Chapter 27: The sage is good at helping everyone. For that reason there is no rejected person. (see Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27-28) Chapter 46: When the worlds on the Way, they use horses to haul manure. When the world gets off the Way, they breed warhorses on the common. The greatest evil: wanting more. The worst luck: discontent. Greeds the curse of life. (see Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 12:33-34, Gospel of Thomas 76:3) Chapter 48: In the practice of the Tao, every day something is dropped. Less and less do you need to force things, until finally you arrive at non-action. When nothing is done, nothing is left undone. (see Matthew 6:25-30, Luke 12:22-28, Gospel of Thomas 36:1-2) Chapter 59: Tolerant like the sky, all-pervading like sunlight, firm like a mountain, supple like a branch in the wind, the sage has no destination in view and makes use of anything life happens to bring his way. Nothing is impossible for him. Because he has let go, he can care for the peoples welfare as a mother cares for her child. (see Matthew 7:9-11, Luke 11:1113) Chapter 62: Why did the ancient Masters esteem the Tao? Because, being one with the Tao, when you seek, you find; and when you make a mistake, youre forgiven. Thats why everybody loves it. (see Matthew 7:7-8, Luke 11:9-10, Gospel of Thomas 94:1-2) Chapter 63: Strive not to struggle -- achieve just by being. Savor the flavorless -- value the unimportant. Meet unkindness with compassion. (see Luke 6:29, Matthew 5:39-40) Chapter 67: I have just 3 things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These 3 are your greatest treasures. Simple in actions and in thoughts, you return to the source of being. Patient with both friends and enemies, you accord with the way things are. Compassionate toward yourself, you reconcile all beings in the world. (see Luke 6:36, Matthew 5:48) Chapter 70: The sage wears rough clothing, and holds the jewel in her heart. (see Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 12:33-34, Gospel of Thomas 76:3) Chapter 73: The way of heaven doesnt compete yet wins handily, doesnt speak yet answers fully, doesnt summon yet attracts. It acts perfectly easily. The net of heaven is vast, vast, wide-meshed, yet misses nothing. (see Matthew 6:25-30, Luke 12:22-28, Gospel of Thomas 36:1-2) Chapter 81: Wise souls dont hoard. The more they do for others the more they have, the more they give the richer they are. The Way of heaven profits without destroying. Doing without outdoing is the Way of the wise. (see Matthew 6:25-30, Luke 12:22-28, Gospel of Thomas 36:1-2)

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The Sermon on the Mount in

The Dhammapada
(Sayings of Buddha) (India)
(6th century BCE? 5th century BCE?) Verses 5-6: Never in this world has hate ever cast out hate. Love alone wins over hate. This is an ancient truth. With this and the knowledge that we will all die, how can you argue with each other? (see Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27-28) Verse 46: Those who realize that the body is no more substantial than the froth that floats on the waves of the sea understand that this life is nothing more than a mirage. (see Matthew 6:25-30, Luke 12:22-28, Gospel of Thomas 36:1-2) Verse 50: Look not at the faults of others nor at what they do or leave undone; but only at your own deeds and deeds unachieved. (see Gospel of Thomas 26:1-2, Matthew 7:3-5, Luke 6:41-42) Verse 75: The way to material gain is one thing, the path to Nirvana another. Knowing this, a monk who is the Buddhas disciple should not delight in being venerated, but should cultivate detachment instead. (see Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13, Gospel of Thomas 47:2) Verse 92: Like the path of birds in the sky, it is hard to trace the path of those who do not hoard, who are judicious with their food, and whose field is the freedom of emptiness and signlessness. (see Matthew 6:25-30, Luke 12:22-28, Gospel of Thomas 36:1-2) Verse 200: Oh, with what ease we live, we who have nothing! We will become as the radiant ones, feeding on joy. (see Luke 6:20, Matthew 5:3, Gospel of Thomas 54) Verse 224: One should speak truthfully. One should not get angry. When asked, one should give, even if there is just a little. With these three traits, one would go in the presence of the radiant ones. (see Luke 6:30a, Matthew 5:42a) Verse 252: It is easy to see the faults of others, but difficult to see ones own. The faults of others you sift like a husk, but conceal your own, like a deceitful gambler conceals a bad roll of the die. (see Gospel of Thomas 26:1-2, Matthew 7:3-5, Luke 6:41-42)

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Suggested Reading
Armstrong, Karen, The Great Transformation: The Beginning of Our Religious Traditions (Anchor Books, 2007). Aronson, Martin (ed.), Jesus and Lao Tzu: The Parallel Sayings (Seastone, 2000). Borg, Marcus (ed.), Jesus and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings (Seastone, 1999). Friendlander, Gerald, The Jewish Sources of the Sermon on the Mount (originally published by George Routledge & Sons, 1911; Out of Print; available as reprint via Kessinger Publishing). Funk, Robert W. & The Jesus Seminar, The Five Gospels: What Did Jesus Really Say? (HarperOne, 1996). Kloppenborg, John S., Q, the Earliest Gospel: An Introduction to the Original Stories and Sayings of Jesus (Westminster John Knox Press, 2008). Mitchell, Stephen, The Gospel According to Jesus: A New Translation & Guide to His Essential Teachings for Believers and Unbelievers (HarperPerennial, 1991). Robinson, James M., The Gospel of Jesus: A Historical Search for the Original Good News (HarperSanFrancisco, 2005). Spong, John Shelby, Re-Claiming the Bible for a Non-Religious World (HarperOne, 2011). Weyler, Rex, The Jesus Sayings: The Quest for His Authentic Message (Anansi Press, 2009). * * * * *

Compiled by Charlie Kraybill on behalf of the Marginal Mennonite Society. Visit www.facebook.com/marginalmennonitesociety and like us. E-mail Charlie: carlosnycity@gmail.com

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