JMNT(i)
17 "You folks should not infer from customary presumption or from established supposition that I came to loosen-down or demolish the Law (or: Torah) or the Prophets. I did not come to loosen-down or demolish, but to the contrary, to fulfill (or: fill up) and make full,
18 "for assuredly (or: amen; it is so), I am here saying to you people, until the sky and the land should possibly pass away (or: the heaven and the earth could ever go by), one iota (the smallest Greek letter) or one horn-like projection (diacritical mark, such as an accent or breathing mark, or part of a Heb. letter; a serif) can by any means pass away from the Law (or: Torah) – until all things can birth themselves (or: should occur; may happen)!
19 "Whoever, then, should loosen [even] one of the least of these directives (commands; precepts; injunctions) – and should teach humans (mankind) to that effect – he will be called "least" (or: a least one) within the reign of the heavens (or: the kingdom which pertains to the heavens). Yet, whoever may practice (or: should perform and do) as well as teach – this person will be called "great" within the reign of the heavens (the kingdom which pertains to the heavens).
20 You see, I am here saying to you men that if your fairness and equity (rightwisedness; justice and right relationships which conform to the Way pointed out) should not habitually exceed and abound more than [that] of the scribes (experts in the Law; theologians) and Pharisees, in no way can you folks enter into the reign of the heavens (or: the kingdom which is, and pertains to, the heavens)!
21 "You folks heard that it was said to (or: by) the original peoples (or: the beginning humans; the archaic ones; the ancient folks; those of the early period), 'You folks will not murder.' Yet whoever may commit murder will be held within the decision (or: held under the control of the crisis or the judging).
22 "However, I, Myself, am now saying to you people that everyone, who – from internal swelling or agitated emotions of his natural disposition, or from the fruition of his mental bent – is habitually being impulsive or angry to his brother, will be held within the decision (or: held under the control of the crisis or the judging). Now whoever may at some point say to his brother, 'Raca (an Aramaic word of verbal abuse: imbecile; worthless good-for-nothing; senseless empty-head; brainless idiot; blockhead)!' will be held within (and thus: accountable to) the Sanhedrin (the ruling Jewish council). Yet whoever may at some point say, 'Moron (Stupid scoundrel; Despicable fool; You idiot)!' will be held within (and thus: accountable to) [placement] into the [part of] the Valley of Hinnom which pertains to the fire [= the incinerator for refuse outside of Jerusalem].