Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

As Jesus continued to teach and heal people, he and his disciples went through grain fields on the second Sabbath after the first. They plucked and ate the ears of grain, rubbing them in their hands to remove the chaff. The Pharisees saw this and said to them, "Why are you doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath days?" Jesus replied, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry and those with him? He entered God's house and took and ate the showbread, which it is not lawful for anyone to eat except for the priests alone."

But Jesus pointed out that David didn't just take the bread for himself; he gave some to those with him. "The Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath," Jesus declared. Another time, on a different Sabbath, Jesus went into a synagogue and taught. A man there had a right hand that was withered. Jesus knew their thoughts and said to the man, "Rise up and stand before everyone." The man got up and stood there.

Jesus asked them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it? And looking around at them all, he said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand,' and he did so; his hand was restored whole as the other. The Pharisees were consumed by anger and began to confer with one another about what they might do to Jesus.

In those days, Jesus went out to a mountain to pray and spent the entire night in prayer to God. When it was day, he called to himself his disciples and from them chose twelve, whom also he named apostles. They were Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus; Simon called Zelotes; Judas, the brother of James; and Judas Iscariot, who was also the traitor.

Jesus came down with them and stood in a plain surrounded by his disciples and a vast crowd of people from all over Judea, Jerusalem, the coastal regions of Tyre and Sidon. The people had come to hear him and be healed of their diseases. Those who were troubled by unclean spirits were healed. The whole multitude sought to touch him, because power was going out from him and healing all who were afflicted.

Jesus looked at his disciples with compassion and said, "Blessed are you who are poor in spirit: for yours is the kingdom of God." Blessed are those who hunger now, for you will be filled; blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. When people hate you, exclude you from their company, insult you, and reject your name because of me, consider yourselves blessed. Rejoice and leap for joy on that day, because your great reward in heaven is awaiting you.

Woe to those who are rich, for they have received their consolation. Woe to those who are full, for they will hunger; woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for so did their ancestors treat false prophets. Jesus said, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who use you spitefully."

If someone strikes you on the right cheek, offer also the left; and if someone takes away your tunic, do not forbid him to take your cloak as well. Give to everyone who asks of you, and do not demand repayment from those who take your goods. Treat others the way you would like them to treat you.

For if you love those who already love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to those from whom they hope to receive back as much. If you do good to those who are already doing good to you, what thanks have you? For even sinners lend to other sinners with the expectation of getting something back.

And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? But love your enemies and do good to them, lending without expecting anything in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be considered children of the Most High God, because he is kind even to those who are ungrateful and wicked.

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Judge others with mercy, and you will be judged with mercy; condemn others unfairly, and you will be condemned unfairly. Forgive those who wrong you, and you will receive forgiveness. Give generously, and you will receive an abundance; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.

The disciple is not superior to his teacher, but one who has reached spiritual maturity will be like their teacher. Why do you notice the speck in your brother's eye, but fail to see the beam that is in your own eye? Either how can you say to your brother, "Let me remove the speck from your eye," when you yourself do not see the beam in your own eye? You hypocrite, take out first the beam from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

A good tree produces good fruit; neither does a corrupt tree produce good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit, just as men do not gather figs from thorns or grapes from brambles. A good person brings forth good things from their heart, and an evil person brings forth evil things; for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

And why call me Lord yet not do what I say? Whoever comes to me and hears my words, and does them, I will show you to whom he is like: he is like a person who builds a house on rock, which stands firm when a flood hits. He is like a man who built a house, digging deep and laying its foundation on rock; when the floodwaters rose, they crashed against that house with great force but could not shake it because it was founded on rock.

But he who hears and does not obey is like a man who builds his house on ground that has no foundation, and when the floodwaters come crashing down, it collapses at once with devastating consequences.