Matthew 5:3-13

3 Blessed [are] the poor in spirit, for *theirs* is the kingdom of the heavens.

4 Blessed they that mourn, for *they* shall be comforted.

5 Blessed the meek, for *they* shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for *they* shall be filled.

7 Blessed the merciful, for *they* shall find mercy.

8 Blessed the pure in heart, for *they* shall see God.

9 Blessed the peace-makers, for *they* shall be called sons of God.

10 Blessed they who are persecuted on account of righteousness, for *theirs* is the kingdom of the heavens.

11 Blessed are ye when they may reproach and persecute you, and say every wicked thing against you, lying, for my sake.

12 Rejoice and exult, for your reward is great in the heavens; for thus have they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

13 *Ye* are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have become insipid, wherewith shall it be salted? It is no longer fit for anything but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot by men.

Footnotes

• [a] Or 'land.' This is a quotation from Ps. 37.11. For a Jew, inheriting the land was inheriting the earth, and vice versa. It was not the haughty Pharisee or the violent who were to have it: God would give it to the meek of the earth that waited on Him. I have put 'earth' as giving a larger thought, as characteristic, not local only. Here ge in Greek, agrees with erets, in Hebrew. See Notes, 1Sam. 2.8; Ps. 2.8.
• [b] Or 'land.'