Murder Begins in the Heart

²¹ ‘You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder,^(A)[a] and whoever murders will be subject to judgement.^{(B) 22} But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister^[b] will be subject to judgement. Whoever insults^[c] his brother or sister will be subject to the court.^[d] Whoever says, “You fool! ” will be subject to hellfire.^[e](C)

⁴⁴ You are of your father the devil,^(A) and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer^(B) from the beginning^(C) and does not stand in the truth,^(D) because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature,^[a] because he is a liar and the father of lies.