¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.^{(A) 15} Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly;^[a] do not claim to be wiser than you are.^{(B) 17} Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.^{(C) 18} If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.^(D)

¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.^{(A) 14} For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us,^{(B) 15} abolishing the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace,^{(C) 16} and might reconcile both to God in one body^[a] through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it.^{[b](D) 17} So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, ¹⁸ for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father.^(E)

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)

⁴ Rejoice^[a] in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.^{[b](A) 5} Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.^{(B) 6} Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.^{(C) 7} And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.^(D)

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about^[c] these things. ⁹ As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you.^(E)