The Great Multitude in White Robes

⁹ After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language,^(A) standing before the throne^(B) and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes^(C) and were holding palm branches in their hands. ¹⁰ And they cried out in a loud voice:

¹¹ All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders^(F) and the four living creatures.^(G) They fell down on their faces^(H) before the throne and worshiped God, ¹² saying:

¹³ Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes^(J)—who are they, and where did they come from?”

¹⁴ I answered, “Sir, you know.”

And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes^(K) and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.^{(L) 15} Therefore,

Thanksgiving and Prayer

¹⁵ For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus^(A) and your love for all God’s people,^{(B) 16} I have not stopped giving thanks for you,^(C) remembering you in my prayers.^{(D) 17} I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,^(E) may give you the Spirit^[a] of wisdom^(F) and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened^(G) in order that you may know the hope to which he has called^(H) you, the riches^(I) of his glorious inheritance^(J) in his holy people,^{(K) 19} and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power^(L) is the same as the mighty strength^{(M) 20} he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead^(N) and seated him at his right hand^(O) in the heavenly realms,^{(P) 21} far above all rule and authority, power and dominion,^(Q) and every name^(R) that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.^{(S) 22} And God placed all things under his feet^(T) and appointed him to be head^(U) over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body,^(V) the fullness of him^(W) who fills everything in every way.^(X)

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes^(A)

He said:

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you,^(M) persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.^{(N) 12} Rejoice and be glad,^(O) because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.^(P)