Passage

Mercy, peace and persecution

Source and translation

World English Bible, Protestant Edition · Public domain · en

⁷Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
⁸Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
⁹Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
¹⁰Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 5:7–10World English Bible, Protestant Edition

The scene

Jesus calls the merciful, the pure in heart and the peacemakers blessed. The next saying names those persecuted for righteousness.

To understand

The sayings pair people with promises. Peacemaking and persecution stand close together; the list does not promise a conflict-free life.

A question

What does the place of persecution in this list prevent us from assuming?