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Simply Tell the Truth - Matthew 5:33-37
Readers Theater
by Dr. Ralph F. WilsonPart of a study on the Sermon on the Mount
Faith of Abraham (Genesis 11-25)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. |
 All lessons now compiled as a 220-page book available as an e-book or printed book. |
Part of a study on the Sermon on the Mount found at https://www.jesuswalk.com/manifesto/
Copyright © 2025, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor
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