Reading Matthew 5:17-20
Map: not to abolish the law but to fulfill it; practises and teach these commands…called great in the kingdom of heaven (vs 19, NIV); …be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift (vs 24, NIV)-priority.
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven (vs 20, NIV).
Matthew 5:17-25, GNB
[17]“Do not think that I have come to do away with the Law of Moses and the teachings of the prophets. I have not come to do away with them, but to make their teachings come true.
[18]Remember that as long as heaven and earth last, not the least point nor the smallest detail of the Law will be done away with — not until the end of all things.
[19]So then, whoever disobeys even the least important of the commandments and teaches others to do the same, will be least in the Kingdom of heaven. On the other hand, whoever obeys the Law and teaches others to do the same, will be great in the Kingdom of heaven.
[20]I tell you, then, that you will be able to enter the Kingdom of heaven only if you are more faithful than the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees in doing what God requires.
[21]“You have heard that people were told in the past, ‘Do not commit murder; anyone who does will be brought to trial.’
[22]But now I tell you: whoever is angry with his brother will be brought to trial, whoever calls his brother ‘You good-for-nothing!’ will be brought before the Council, and whoever calls his brother a worthless fool will be in danger of going to the fire of hell.
[23]So if you are about to offer your gift to God at the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you,
[24]leave your gift there in front of the altar, go at once and make peace with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift to God.
[25]“If someone brings a lawsuit against you and takes you to court, settle the dispute with him while there is time, before you get to court. Once you are there, he will hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to the police, and you will be put in jail.