Matthew 5: The Beatitudes
(All Scripture is from the New Living Translation)
I always thought that the ideas behind the Beatitudes were original to Christ.
But they were the message God has been sending all along!
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“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
[God says] I will feed the poor in my pasture; the needy will lie down in peace.
Isaiah 14:30
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
I will comfort those who mourn, bringing words of praise to their lips.
May they have abundant peace, both near and far,” says the Lord, who heals them.
Isaiah 57:18b-19
5 God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
The humble will see their God at work and be glad.
Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.
Psalm 69:32
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone:
that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love
and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,
and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!
Jeremiah 9:24
He [King Josiah] gave justice and help to the poor and needy,
and everything went well for him. Isn’t that what it means to know me?” says the Lord.
Jeremiah 22:16
7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says:
Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another.
Zechariah 7:9
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?
Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.
They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. Psalm 24:3-5
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. Psalm 34:14-15
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
The Lord rewarded me for doing right; he restored me because of my innocence.
For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not turned from my God to follow evil.
Psalm 18:20-21
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