He saw the crowds and climbed the hill,

He saw the crowds and climbed the hill, And when He sat, they came; He opened then His mouth to teach The kingdom’s that they could claim. Blessed are the poor in spirit low, Theirs is heaven’s reign; Blessed are they that mourn in grief, For comfort they shall gain. Blessed are the meek, the gentle heart, The earth shall be their stay; Blessed are they that hunger still For righteousness’ true way. Blessed are the merciful and kind, For mercy they shall see; Blessed are the pure in heart and mind, For God their eyes shall be. Blessed are the ones who make for peace, God’s children they are named; Blessed are the persecuted ones, For heaven’s theirs, unchained. Blessed are ye when falsely charged, Reviled for My own sake; Rejoice—exceeding glad be ye, For heaven your reward shall make. Ye are the salt of all the earth, If savor fades away, Wherewith shall salt be salted then, Cast out, trod down, they say. Ye are the light set for the world, A city on a hill; No candle lit is hid beneath, But placed to shine at will. So let your light before men shine, Your good works seen and known, That they may glorify the Father Whose throne is heaven’s throne. Think not I came to break the Law, Or prophets’ ancient word; I came not to destroy their voice, But make it fully heard. Till heaven and earth shall pass away, Not jot nor tittle fails; Till all be done, the Law stands fast, Its truth forever prevails. Except your righteousness exceed The scribes’ and Pharisees’, Ye shall not enter heaven’s gate— So hear these words of Me. Ye heard of old, “Thou shalt not kill,” Judgment waits the deed; But I say wrath within the heart Is guilt you must not feed. Ye heard, “Commit not adultery,” The outward act condemned; But lustful looks within the soul Are sins already penned. Ye heard, “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth,” The measure justice gave; But I say turn the other cheek, The path the meekness pave. Ye heard, “Love neighbor, hate your foe,” But hear Me clearly say: Love enemies and pray for those Who persecute your way. Be therefore perfect, wholly true, As is your Father’s care; In heaven high His holiness Is love beyond compare. Give not your alms for men to see, Nor trumpet what you give; Your Father sees in secret places, There your reward shall live. When thou dost pray, shut thou the door, Speak softly, plain, and true; Your Father hears the secret word And openly pays you. Our Father which in heaven art, Hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as heaven’s same. Give daily bread for present need, Forgive us all our debt; As we forgive each one who owes, Let mercy guide us yet. Lead us not into tempting paths, But from all evil free; For Thine the kingdom, power, and glory, For all eternity. Lay not your treasure where it fades, Where rust and moth destroy; But lay it up in heaven above, Where thieves cannot employ. For where your treasure truly lies, Your heart is resting there; No man can serve two masters well— God only claims that care. Take no thought for the morrow’s needs, Tomorrow thinks alone; Seek first God’s kingdom, righteousness, And all things shall be shown. Enter the strait and narrow gate, Though few may choose that way; For wide the road that leads to death, And many there do stay. The gate is strait, the way is hard, That leads to life made new; But few there be that find that path— Yet blessed are the few. Who hears these sayings and them does Is wise beyond his years; He builds his house upon the rock, Unmoved by storms and fears. The rain fell hard, the floods arose, The winds in fury struck; Yet still the house upon the rock Stood firm by wisdom’s luck. But he who hears and does them not Builds on the sinking sand; The storm will come, the house will fall— Great ruin at its end.