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The Beatitudes

12 It happened around that time that Jesus went up into the mountain to pray, and he spent all night in prayer to God. 13 When day came, he called his disciples, and chose twelve of them, calling them “apostles”: 14 Simon, whom he called Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called “the hothead,” 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who turned traitor.

17 He went down with them, and took up a position on a level plain where there was a large crowd of his followers, with a huge company of people from all Judaea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon. 18 They came to hear him, and to be cured from their diseases. Those who were troubled by unclean spirits were healed, 19 and the whole crowd tried to touch him, because power was going out from him and healing everybody.

20 He lifted up his eyes and looked at his disciples, and said:

“Blessings on the poor: God’s kingdom belongs to you!

21 “Blessings on those who are hungry today: you’ll have a feast!

“Blessings on those who weep today: you’ll be laughing!

22 “Blessings on you, when people hate you, and shut you out, when they slander you and reject your name as if it was evil, because of the son of man. 23 Celebrate on that day! Jump for joy! Don’t you see: in heaven there is a great reward for you! That’s what their ancestors did to the prophets.

24 “But woe betide you rich: you’ve had your comfort!

25 “Woe betide you if you’re full today: you’ll go hungry!

“Woe betide you if you’re laughing today: you’ll be mourning and weeping!

26 “Woe betide you when everyone speaks well of you: that’s what their ancestors did to the false prophets.”

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