Matthew 5:1–16

the Beatitudes

¹When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up a mountain and sat down. His disciples came to him, ²and he began to teach them: 

³“Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless. 

The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. 

⁴Blessed are those who mourn. 

They will be comforted. 

⁵Blessed are those who are gentle. 

They will inherit the earth. 

⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for God’s approval. 

They will be satisfied. 

⁷Blessed are those who show mercy. 

They will be treated mercifully. 

⁸Blessed are those whose thoughts are pure. 

They will see God. 

⁹Blessed are those who make peace. 

They will be called God’s children. 

¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted for doing what God approves of. 

The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. 

¹¹“Blessed are you when people insult you, 

persecute you, 

lie, and say all kinds of evil things about you because of me. 

¹²Rejoice and be glad because you have a great reward in heaven! 

The prophets who lived before you were persecuted in these ways. 

God’s People Make a Difference in the World—Mark 4:21–23; Luke 11:33

¹³“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. 

¹⁴“You are light for the world. A city cannot be hidden when it is located on a hill. ¹⁵No 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. ¹⁶In 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.