And He, having lifted up
his eyes to his disciples, said: “Happy the poor—because yours is the reign of
God.
Happy those hungering
now—because you shall be filled.
Happy those weeping now—because
you shall laugh.
Happy are you when men
shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach, and shall
cast forth your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake—rejoice in that day,
and leap, for lo, your reward is great in the heaven, for according to these
things were their fathers doing to the prophets.”
But woe to you—the rich,
because ye have got your comfort.
Woe to you who have been
filled—because you shall hunger.
Woe to you who are
laughing now—because you shall mourn and weep.
Woe to you when all men
shall speak well of you—for according to these things were their fathers doing
to false prophets.
But I say to you who are
hearing, Love your enemies, do good to those hating you, bless those cursing
you, and pray for those accusing you falsely; and to him smiting you upon the
cheek, give also the other, and from him taking away from you the mantle, also
the coat you may not keep back.
And to every one who is
asking of thee, be giving; and from him who is taking away thy goods, be not
asking again; and as you wish that men may do to you, do you also to them in
like manner; and—if you love those loving you, what grace have you” for also
the sinful love those loving them: and if ye do good to those doing good to
you, what grace have you? For also the sinful do the same; and if ye lend to
those of whom ye hope to receive back, what grace have you? For also the sinful
lend to sinners—that they may receive again as much.
But love your enemies
and do good and lend hoping for nothing again, and your reward will be great
and you shall be sons of the Highest, because He is kind unto the ungracious
and evil; be ye therefore merciful as also your Father is merciful.
And judge not and you
may not be judged; condemn not and you may not be condemned; release and you
shall be released.
Give and it shall be
given to you; good measure, pressed and shaken, and running over-over, they
shall give into your bosom; for with the measure with which you measure, it
shall be measured to you again.”
Luke 6:20-38—Young’s
Literal Translation of the Holy Bible.
If we all went by the
precepts of Jesus, what a different world this would be.
Jay
