but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”

The Beatitudes

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Women Accompanying Jesus

Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him,

he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’

and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.

When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.

But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’

But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

The Mustard Seed and the Leaven

He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?

And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?

In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out.

And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God.

When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!”

The Law and the Kingdom of God

The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him.

“The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it.

The Coming of the Kingdom

Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed,

nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!