Psalm 145:8-21
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
8 The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.(A)
9 The Lord is good to all,
and his compassion is over all that he has made.(B)
10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your faithful shall bless you.(C)
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
and tell of your power,
12 to make known to all people your[a] mighty deeds
and the glorious splendor of your[b] kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
The Lord is faithful in all his words
and gracious in all his deeds.[c](D)
14 The Lord upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.(E)
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.(F)
16 You open your hand,
satisfying the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is just in all his ways
and kind in all his doings.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.(G)
19 He fulfills the desire of all who fear him;
he also hears their cry and saves them.(H)
20 The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.(I)
21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.
Matthew 5:1-12
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Beatitudes
5 When Jesus[a] saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.(A) 2 And he began to speak and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.(B)
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.(C)
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.(D)
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.(E)
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.(F)
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.(G)
11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely[b] on my account.(H) 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.(I)
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Matthew 5:43-48
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’(A) 44 But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,(B) 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.(C) 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.(D)
Read full chapterNew Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.