⁵ Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?^(A)

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.^(A)

Blessings and Woes

²⁰ Then he looked up at his disciples and said:

⁹ “I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich. I know the slander on the part of those who say that they are Jews and are not but are a synagogue of Satan.^(A)

⁴ and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

²¹ So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”^(A)

Trial and Temptation

¹² Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord^[a] has promised to those who love him.^(A)

²⁶ Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards,^[a] not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.^{(A) 27} But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;^{(B) 28} God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to abolish things that are,

³² “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.^(A)

⁹ For you know the generous act^[a] of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.^(A)