16. Judas, the son of James, Judas Iscariot (the one who turned against Jesus).
17. Jesus and the apostles came down from the mountain. Jesus stood on a flat place. A large crowd of his followers was there. Also, there were many people from all around Judea, Jerusalem, and the seacoast cities of Tyre and Sidon.
18. They all came to hear Jesus teach and to be healed of their sicknesses. He healed the people who were troubled by evil spirits.
19. Everyone was trying to touch him, because power was coming out from him. Jesus healed them all.
20. Jesus looked at his followers and said, “Great blessings belong to you who are poor. God’s kingdom belongs to you.
21. Great blessings belong to you who are hungry now. You will be filled. Great blessings belong to you who are crying now. You will be happy and laughing.
22. “People will hate you because you belong to the Son of Man. They will make you leave their group. They will insult you. They will think it is wrong even to say your name. When these things happen, know that great blessings belong to you.
23. You can be happy then and jump for joy, because you have a great reward in heaven. The ancestors of those people did the same things to the prophets.
24. “But how bad it will be for you rich people, because you had your easy life.
25. How bad it will be for you people who are full now, because you will be hungry. How bad it will be for you people who are laughing now, because you will be sad and cry.
26. “How bad it is when everyone says nothing but good about you. Just look at the false prophets. Their ancestors always said good things about them.
27. “But I say to you people who are listening to me, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you.
28. Ask God to bless the people who ask for bad things to happen to you. Pray for the people who are mean to you.
29. If someone hits you on the side of your face, let them hit the other side too. If someone takes your coat, don’t stop them from taking your shirt too.
30. Give to everyone who asks you for something. When someone takes something that is yours, don’t ask for it back.