2. And opening his mouth he began to teach them, saying,
3. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4. Blessed are the ones who mourn, because they will be comforted.
5. Blessed are the meek, because they will inherit the earth.
6. Blessed are the ones who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they will be satisfied.
7. Blessed are the merciful, because they will be shown mercy.
8. Blessed are the pure in heart, because they will see God.
9. Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called sons of God.
10. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you, lying on account of me.
12. Rejoice and be glad, because your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.
13. “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, by what will it be made salty? It is good for nothing any longer except to be thrown outside and trampled under foot by people.
14. You are the light of the world. A city located on top of a hill cannot be hidden,
15. nor do they light a lamp and place it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it shines on all those in the house.
16. In the same way let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
17. “Do not think that I have come to destroy the law or the prophets. I have not come to destroy them but to fulfill them.
18. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one tiny letter or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all takes place.
19. Therefore whoever abolishes one of the least of these commandments and teaches people to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever keeps them and teaches them, this person will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20. For I say to you that unless your righteousness greatly surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter into the kingdom of heaven.