Matthew 5:1-26
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up a mountain and sat
down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them:
"Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually
helpless.
The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
Blessed are those who mourn.
They will be comforted.
Blessed are those who are gentle.
They will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for God's approval.
They will be satisfied.
Blessed are those who show mercy.
They will be treated mercifully.
Blessed are those whose thoughts are pure.
They will see God.
Blessed are those who make peace.
They will be called God's children.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for doing what God
approves of.
The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
"Blessed
are you when people insult you, persecute you, lie, and say all kinds of evil
things about you because of me. Rejoice and be glad because you have a great
reward in heaven! The prophets who lived before you were persecuted in these
ways.
"You
are salt for the earth. But if salt loses its taste, how will it be made salty
again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled
on by people.
"You
are light for the world. A city cannot be hidden when it is located on a hill.
No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket. Instead, everyone who lights a
lamp puts it on a lamp stand. Then its light shines on everyone in the house.
In the same way let your light shine in front of people. Then they will see the
good that you do and praise your Father in heaven.
"Don't
ever think that I came to set aside Moses' Teachings or the Prophets. I didn't
come to set them aside but to make them come true. I can guarantee this truth:
Until the earth and the heavens disappear, neither a period nor a comma will
disappear from Moses' Teachings before everything has come true. So whoever
sets aside any command that seems unimportant and teaches others to do the same
will be unimportant in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches what
the commands say will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. I can guarantee
that unless you live a life that has God's approval and do it more faithfully
than the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
"You
have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'Never murder. Whoever murders
will answer for it in court.' But I can guarantee that whoever is angry with
another believer will answer for it in court. Whoever calls another believer an
insulting name will answer for it in the highest court. Whoever calls another
believer a fool will answer for it in hell fire.
"So if
you are offering your gift at the altar and remember there that another
believer has something against you, leave your gift at the altar. First go away
and make peace with that person. Then come back and offer your gift.
"Make
peace quickly with your opponent while you are on the way to court with him.
Otherwise, he will hand you over to the judge. Then the judge will hand you
over to an officer, who will throw you into prison. I can guarantee this truth:
You will never get out until you pay every penny of your fine. (GWT)
This reading is taken from 30 Scripture Readings on Character
& Integrity. The complete book can be found here:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005KYN53A
God’s Word® Translation. Copyright © 1995 by God’s Word to
the Nations. Published by Baker Book House. Used by permission.
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