Immerse: Messiah - Flipbook - Page 30
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IMMERSE
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MESSIAH
6:22-38
God blesses you who weep now,
for in due time you will laugh.
What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and
mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When
that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in
heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that
same way.
“What sorrow awaits you who are rich,
for you have your only happiness now.
What sorrow awaits you who are fat and prosperous now,
for a time of awful hunger awaits you.
What sorrow awaits you who laugh now,
for your laughing will turn to mourning and sorrow.
What sorrow awaits you who are praised by the crowds,
for their ancestors also praised false prophets.
“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good
to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who
hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also.
If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who
asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back.
Do to others as you would like them to do to you.
“If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for
that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only
to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners
do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you,
why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a
full return.
“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting
to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you
will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those
who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your
Father is compassionate.
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others,
or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—
pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and
poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount
you get back.”
