READER 1

You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.'

READER 2

Yes, if you swear in court

READER 3

Swear on the Bible

READER 4

Swear on a stack of Bibles

READER 3

Cross your heart and hope to die

READER 1

The Pharisees had strange rules about taking oaths.

READER 2

If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing;

READER 3

But if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.

READER 4

Sneaky

READER 3

"Blind guides!" Jesus called them.

READER 1

If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.

READER 2

Deceptive.

READER 3

"Blind fools!" Jesus said.

READER 1

If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.

READER 2

An elaborate cover for a lie.

READER 3

"Blind men!" Jesus called them

READER 4

But I tell you,

READER 3

Jesus told his followers,

READER 1

Do not swear at all.

READER 2

Do not swear at all.

READER 3

Not at all.

READER 4

Never.

READER 1

Either by heaven,

READER 2

For it is God's throne;

READER 1

Or by the earth,

READER 3

For it is his footstool;

READER 1

Or by Jerusalem,

READER 4

For it is the city of the Great King.

READER 2

The whole earth is the Lord's and everything in it.

READER 3

It is all God's.

READER 1

And do not swear by your head,

READER 2

For you cannot make even one hair white or black.

READER 3

Black or white.

READER 4

Or gray.

READER 1

Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,'

READER 2

And your 'No,' 'No';

READER 1

Anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

READER 2

The evil one.

READER 3

Who is a liar

READER 4

And the father of lies.

READER 1

When you say "Yes," mean "Yes."

READER 2

And when you say "No," mean "No."

READER 1

Don't fancy up your speech with awesome oaths.

READER 2

"Swear on a stack of Bibles"

READER 3

"Swear on the grave of my dead mother"

READER 1

Or stupid sayings

READER 4

"Cross my heart and hope to die."

READER 1

Say way you mean.

READER 2

Or don't say it at all.

READER 3

Let your words stand for themselves.

READER 4

Let your word be your bond.

READER 3

And truthfulness be your reputation.

READER 1

Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,'

READER 2

And your 'No,' 'No';

READER 3

Anything beyond this comes from the evil one.