Lending Kindness

¹ Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up a mountain. He sat down and his disciples came to him. ² He taught them, saying: ³ “Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. ⁴ “Happy are people who grieve, because they will be made glad. ⁵ “Happy are people who are humble, because they will inherit the earth. ⁶ “Happy are people who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full. ⁷ “Happy are people who show mercy, because they will receive mercy. ⁸ “Happy are people who have pure hearts, because they will see God. ⁹ “Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God’s children. ¹⁰ “Happy are people whose lives are harassed because they are righteous, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. ¹¹ “Happy are you when people insult you and harass you and speak all kinds of bad and false things about you, all because of me. ¹² Be full of joy and be glad, because you have a great reward in heaven. In the same way, people harassed the prophets who came before you.