2. Then he began to teach them. He said,
3. "Blessed are those who are spiritually needy. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
4. Blessed are those who are sad. They will be comforted.
5. Blessed are those who are free of pride. They will be given the earth.
6. Blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for what is right. They will be filled.
7. Blessed are those who show mercy. They will be shown mercy.
8. Blessed are those whose hearts are pure. They will see God.
9. Blessed are those who make peace. They will be called sons of God.
10. Blessed are those who suffer for doing what is right. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
11. "Blessed are you when people make fun of you and hurt you because of me. You are also blessed when they tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me.
12. Be joyful and glad. Your reward in heaven is great. In the same way, people hurt the prophets who lived long ago.
13. "You are the salt of the earth. But suppose the salt loses its saltiness. How can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything. It will be thrown out. People will walk all over it.
14. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill can't be hidden.
15. Also, people do not light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand. Then it gives light to everyone in the house.
16. "In the same way, let your light shine in front of others. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will praise your Father who is in heaven.
17. "Do not think I have come to get rid of what is written in the Law or in the Prophets. I have not come to do that. Instead, I have come to give full meaning to what is written.
18. What I'm about to tell you is true. Heaven and earth will disappear before the smallest letter disappears from the Law. Not even the smallest stroke of a pen will disappear from the Law until everything is completed.