It came to pass on another sabbath, He entered the synagogue and taught. There was a man whose right hand was withered. The scribes and Pharisees watched whether He would heal on the sabbath day so they might find an accusation against Him.
Jesus knew their intentions and said to the man with the withered hand, Rise up. Stand forth in the midst. The man arose and stood forth. Then Jesus said to them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? To save life, or to destroy it? Then looking around at them, He said to the man, Stretch forth thy hand. As the man did so, his hand was restored whole as the other. They were filled with anger and discussed what they might do to Jesus.
It came to pass in those days, Jesus went up into a mountain to pray.
He continued all night in prayer to God. When it was day, He called to
Him His disciples and, of them, He chose twelve whom He also named
apostles:
Simon (whom He also named Peter); Andrew, his brother; James and John;
Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus;
and Simon called Zelotes; Judas, the brother of James; and Judas
Iscariot, who also was the traitor.
Jesus came down with the company of His disciples and stood in the plain. There was now gathered a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him, and to be healed of their diseases and unclean spirits. The whole multitude sought to touch Him because virtue flowed out of Him and healed them all.
Jesus lifted His eyes to His disciples and said, Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry, for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when others hate you, separate you from their company, reproach you, and denounce your name as evil for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! Your reward in heaven is great. Their fathers treated the prophets the same way.
But woe to you who are rich! You have already received your consolation. Woe to you who are full! Later you be hungry. Woe to you who now laugh! You will mourn and weep. Woe to you, when everyone speaks well of you, because the ancestors treated the false prophets in the same way.
I say to you who hear, Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless them that curse you. Pray for those who use you and treat you badly. To one who strikes you on the one cheek, offer also the other. To one who takes away your cloak let him take away your coat also. Give to everyone who asks. From one who takes your goods do not ask for them back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
If ye love only those who love you, what thanks have ye? Sinners also love those who love them. If ye do good only to those who do good to you, what thanks have ye? Sinners do even the same also. And if ye lend only to those from whom ye expect to receive back, what thanks have ye? Sinners also lend to sinners to receive as much again.
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return and your reward shall be great. Ye shall be the children of the Highest for He is kind to the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful as your Father also is merciful.