praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints;

and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you;

whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.

Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

And when it was day, He called His disciples to Him; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:

Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;

Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot;

Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.

And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases,

as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed.

And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.

Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: " Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake.

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! for indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.

"But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation.

Woe to you who are full, For you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, For you shall mourn and weep.

Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.

"But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

"bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.

"To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.