Immerse: Messiah - Flipbook - Page 331
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God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie
about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my
followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you
in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the
same way.
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor?
Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot
as worthless.
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be
hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a
lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In
the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone
will praise your heavenly Father.
“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law
of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their
purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the
smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So
if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you
will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys
God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
“But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter
the Kingdom of Heaven!
“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If
you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even
