The Beatitudes

⁵When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.²Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: ³ ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ⁵ ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ⁶ ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ⁷ ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. ⁸ ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. ⁹ ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ¹⁰ ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.¹²Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Jacob Blesses Joseph’s Sons

⁴⁸After this Joseph was told, ‘Your father is ill.’ So he took with him his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim. ⁸ When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, ‘Who are these?’⁹Joseph said to his father, ‘They are my sons, whom God has given me here.’ And he said, ‘Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them.’¹⁰Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, and he could not see well. So Joseph brought them near him; and he kissed them and embraced them.¹¹Israel said to Joseph, ‘I did not expect to see your face; and here God has let me see your children also.’¹²Then Joseph removed them from his father’s knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.¹³Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand towards Israel’s left, and Manasseh in his left hand towards Israel’s right, and brought them near him.¹⁴But Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands, for Manasseh was the firstborn.¹⁵He blessed Joseph, and said,‘The God before whom my ancestors Abraham and Isaac walked,the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day,¹⁶ the angel who has redeemed me from all harm, bless the boys;and in them let my name be perpetuated, and the name of my ancestors Abraham and Isaac;and let them grow into a multitude on the earth.’