Matthew 5:3-12
3 God’s well-being is given,
not to the spiritually “self-sufficient”,
but to spiritual beggars;
for they are the ones open to letting God come down from Heaven
to set up shop in their lives.
4 God’s well-being is given,
not to those who party louder than their pain,
and care not for anyone or any-time else,
but to those who are greatly disturbed by being battered on the outside and in,
by the world and sin;
for they are the ones who can see that they will need God’s counselors,
some of whom are standing by 24/7.
5 God’s well-being is given,
not to those who try to conquer others to serve themselves,
but to those who conquer themselves to serve God and others,
for they are the ones who will be given God’s property permanently.
6 God’s well-being is given,
not to those who are proud of their own character and actions,
but to those who instead have an overwhelming, gnawing craving
for God’s approval,
for they are the ones who will have
their most important needs begin to be met in this life,
and every need fully met in the next.
7 God’s well-being is given,
not to those who are busy dispensing judgment on others
(especially those that bug them),
but to those who are busy dispensing God’s kindness to all they come in contact with
(not just the ones they like),
for they are the ones who will be forgiven.
8 God’s well-being is given,
not to those who focus on the outside,
trying to look like they are doing all the right stuff,
but to those who are clean inside,
for they are the ones who will be able to see God clearly, as He really is,
so they can become like Him.
9 God’s well-being is given,
not to those who ignore relationships that are broken
(whether by they themselves, or others),
but to those who try to mend broken relationships
(even if they didn’t cause the break),
for they are the ones who will be recognized as being like God in character and life.
10 God’s well-being is given,
not to those who work to get the approval of the world,
but to those who are hounded because God works through them in this world,
for when their job here is done,
He will pull them out and take them to their home with Him in heaven.
11 God’s well-being is given to you, when you are verbally attacked, hounded,
and all kinds of scandalous stories are made up about you and spewed all over
to try to make you look bad because when they look at you they see Me.
12 A spectacular finale of God’s lavish gift awaits you in heaven
if you hang in there.
So focus instead on that future party atmosphere
and let that celebration feeling gush up in you and come out in a jump of thankful joy.
You are in good company. In the same way,
God’s specially commissioned spokesmen who lived prior to you, were hounded.
They will be so pleased to see you when you arrive at that celebration.
ST Servants‘ Translation
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Matthew 5:3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule. 5:4 You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. 5:5 You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are–no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. 5:6 You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. 5:7 You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ’care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for. 5:8 You’re blessed when you get your inside world–your mind and heart–put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. 5:9 You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family. 5:10 You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom. 5:11 Not only that–count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit Me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. 5:12 You can be glad when that happens–give a cheer, even!–for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.” (The Message)
