Revelation 7:9-14; Matthew 5:1-12

9 After this I looked, and there was an enormous crowd - no one could count all the people! They were from every race, tribe, nation, and language, and they stood in front of the throne and of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.

10 They called out in a loud voice: "Salvation comes from our God, who sits on the throne, and from the Lamb!"

11 All the angels stood around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures. Then they threw themselves face downward in front of the throne and worshiped God,

12 saying, "Amen! Praise, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might belong to our God forever and ever! Amen!"

13 One of the elders asked me, "Who are these people dressed in white robes, and where do they come from?"

14 "I don't know, sir. You do," I answered. He said to me, "These are the people who have come safely through the terrible persecution. They have washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the Lamb.

1 Jesus saw the crowds and went up a hill, where he sat down. His disciples gathered around him,

2 and he began to teach them:

3 "Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!

4 "Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them!

5 "Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised!

6 "Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully!

7 "Happy are those who are merciful to others; God will be merciful to them!

8 "Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God!

9 "Happy are those who work for peace; God will call them his children!

10 "Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!

11 "Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers.

12 Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted.