Study Desk

"Blessed are the mourners, for they shall be comforted.

"Blessed are the meek, for they as heirs shall obtain possession of the earth.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be completely satisfied.

"Blessed are the compassionate, for they shall receive compassion.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for it is they who will be recognized as sons of God.

"Blessed are those who have borne persecution in the cause of Righteousness, for to them belongs the Kingdom of the Heavens.

"Blessed are you when they have insulted and persecuted you, and have said every cruel thing about you falsely for my sake.

Be joyful and triumphant, because your reward is great in the Heavens; for so were the Prophets before you persecuted.

"*You* are the salt of the earth; but if salt has become tasteless, in what way can it regain its saltness? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown away and trodden on by the passers by.

"Do not for a moment suppose that I have come to abrogate the Law or the Prophets: I have not come to abrogate them but to give them their completion.

For I assure you that unless your righteousness greatly surpasses that of the Scribes and the Pharisees, you will certainly not find entrance into the Kingdom of the Heavens.

Come to terms without delay with your opponent while you are yet with him on the way to the court; for fear he should obtain judgement from the magistrate against you, and the magistrate should give you in custody to the officer and you be thrown into prison.

If therefore your eye, even the right eye, is a snare to you, tear it out and away with it; it is better for you that one member should be destroyed rather than that your whole body should be thrown into Gehenna.

And if your right hand is a snare to you, cut it off and away with it; it is better for you that one member should be destroyed rather than that your whole body should go into Gehenna.

But I tell you not to swear at all; neither by Heaven, for it is God's throne;

nor by the earth, for it is the footstool under His feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the City of the Great King.

And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.

"You have heard that it was said, `Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.'

But I command you all, love your enemies, and pray for your persecutors;