Simply Tell the Truth - Matthew 5:33-37
Readers Theater

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
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Part of a study on the Sermon on the Mount

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This reading contains texts from Matthew 5:33-37 and 23:16-22.

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.

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Part of a study on the Sermon on the Mount found at http://www.jesuswalk.com/manifesto/

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