Matthew 5:1–16

The Sermon on the Mount

5Jesus saw the crowds and went up a hill, where he sat down. His disciples gathered round him, ²and he began to teach them:

True Happiness

³“Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor;

the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!

^4*Happy are those who mourn;

God will comfort them!

^5*Happy are those who are humble;

they will receive what God has promised!

^6*Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires;

God will satisfy them fully!

⁷Happy are those who are merciful to others;

God will be merciful to them!

^8*Happy are the pure in heart;

they will see God!

⁹Happy are those who work for peace;

God will call them his children!

^10*Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires;

the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!

^11*“Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers. ^12*Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted.

Salt and Light

^13*“You are like salt for the whole human race. But if salt loses its saltiness, there is no way to make it salty again. It has become worthless, so it is thrown out and people trample on it.

^14*“You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. ^15*No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead he puts it on the lamp-stand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. ^16*In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.