17 Jesus and the apostles came down from the mountain. Jesus stood on level ground where there was a large group of his followers. 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 those who were troubled by evil spirits.
19 All the people were trying to touch Jesus, because power was coming from him and healing them all!
20 Jesus looked at his followers and said,“Poor people, you are happy,because God’s kingdom belongs to you.
21 You people who are now hungry are happy,because you will be satisfied.You people who are now crying are happy,because you will laugh with joy.
22 “You are happy when people hate you and are cruel to you. You are happy when they say that you are evil because you belong to the Son of Man.
23 At that time be full of joy, because you have a great reward in heaven. Their fathers were cruel to the prophets in the same way these people are cruel to you.