He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large
crowd of his
disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and
from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear him and to be healed of their
diseases. those troubled by evil spirits were cured, and the people all tried to touch
him, because power was coming from him and healing them all. Looking at his disciples, he
said:
"Blessed are you who are poor, for
yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your
name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because
great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.
But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.
Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false
prophets."
"But I tell you who hear me; Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless
those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek,
turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your
tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not
demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you."
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who
love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, What credit is that to you?
Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit
is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to be repaid in full. But love your
enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then
your reward will be great, and you will be sons and daughters of the Most High, because he
is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Luke 6: 17-36
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