The Sermon on the Plain

6:17 Then55 he came down with them and stood on a level place.56 And a large number57 of his disciples had gathered58 along with59 a vast multitude from all over Judea, from60 Jerusalem,61 and from the seacoast of Tyre62 and Sidon.63 They came to hear him and to be healed64 of their diseases, 6:18 and those who suffered from65 unclean66 spirits were cured. 6:19 The67 whole crowd was trying to touch him, because power68 was coming out from him and healing them all.

6:20 Then69 he looked up70 at his disciples and said:

“Blessed71 are you who are poor,72 for the kingdom of God belongs73 to you.

6:21 “Blessed are you who hunger74 now, for you will be satisfied.75

“Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.76

6:22 “Blessed are you when people77 hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject you as evil78 on account of the Son of Man! 6:23 Rejoice in that day, and jump for joy, because79 your reward is great in heaven. For their ancestors80 did the same things to the prophets.81

6:24 “But woe82 to you who are rich, for you have received83 your comfort84 already.

6:25 “Woe to you who are well satisfied with food85 now, for you will be hungry.

“Woe to you86 who laugh87 now, for you will mourn and weep.

6:26 “Woe to you88 when all people89 speak well of you, for their ancestors90 did the same things to the false prophets.

6:27 “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies,91 do good to those who hate you, 6:28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat92 you. 6:29 To the person who strikes you on the cheek,93 offer the other as well,94 and from the person who takes away your coat,95 do not withhold your tunic96 either.97 6:30 Give to everyone who asks you,98 and do not ask for your possessions99 back100 from the person who takes them away. 6:31 Treat others101 in the same way that you would want them to treat you.102

6:32 “If103 you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners104 love those who love them.105 6:33 And106 if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even107 sinners108 do the same. 6:34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to be repaid,109 what credit is that to you? Even sinners110 lend to sinners, so that they may be repaid in full.111 6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back.112 Then113 your reward will be great, and you will be sons114 of the Most High,115 because he is kind to ungrateful and evil people.116 6:36 Be merciful,117 just as your Father is merciful.