The Sovereign LORD has filled me with his Spirit. He has chosen me and sent me To bring good news to the poor, To heal the broken-hearted, To announce release to captives And freedom to those in prison.

He leads the humble in the right way and teaches them his will.

but the humble will possess the land and enjoy prosperity and peace.

The LORD takes pleasure in his people; he honors the humble with victory.

Turn to the LORD, all you humble people of the land, who obey his commands. Do what is right, and humble yourselves before the LORD. Perhaps you will escape punishment on the day when the LORD shows his anger.

"Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised!

Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest.

But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these.

Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another.

Your life in Christ makes you strong, and his love comforts you. You have fellowship with the Spirit, and you have kindness and compassion for one another.

Don't do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble toward one another, always considering others better than yourselves.

So get rid of every filthy habit and all wicked conduct. Submit to God and accept the word that he plants in your hearts, which is able to save you.

Listen, my dear friends! God chose the poor people of this world to be rich in faith and to possess the kingdom which he promised to those who love him.

Are there any of you who are wise and understanding? You are to prove it by your good life, by your good deeds performed with humility and wisdom.

Such wisdom does not come down from heaven; it belongs to the world, it is unspiritual and demonic.

But the wisdom from above is pure first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle, and friendly; it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds; it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy.

Rid yourselves, then, of all evil; no more lying or hypocrisy or jealousy or insulting language.

As the scripture says, "You have found out for yourselves how kind the Lord is."

"When my people in their need look for water, when their throats are dry with thirst, then I, the LORD, will answer their prayer; I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them.

I will make rivers flow among barren hills and springs of water run in the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water and the dry land into flowing springs.

"I am the high and holy God, who lives forever. I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who are humble and repentant, so that I can restore their confidence and hope.

I myself created the whole universe! I am pleased with those who are humble and repentant, who fear me and obey me.

The needy will not always be neglected; the hope of the poor will not be crushed forever.

"But now I will come," says the LORD, "because the needy are oppressed and the persecuted groan in pain. I will give them the security they long for."

I will leave there a humble and lowly people, who will come to me for help.

Sing and shout for joy, people of Israel! Rejoice with all your heart, Jerusalem!

The time is coming when they will say to Jerusalem, "Do not be afraid, city of Zion! Do not let your hands hang limp!

as joyful as people at a festival." The LORD says, "I have ended the threat of doom and taken away your disgrace.

"Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!

the blind can see, the lame can walk, those who suffer from dreaded skin diseases are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are brought back to life, and the Good News is preached to the poor.

Now remember what you were, my friends, when God called you. From the human point of view few of you were wise or powerful or of high social standing.

He chose what the world looks down on and despises and thinks is nothing, in order to destroy what the world thinks is important.

Those Christians who are poor must be glad when God lifts them up,

Listen, my dear friends! God chose the poor people of this world to be rich in faith and to possess the kingdom which he promised to those who love him.

You will toss them in the air; the wind will carry them off, and they will be scattered by the storm. Then you will be happy because I am your God; you will praise me, the holy God of Israel.

Jerusalem rejoices because of what the LORD has done. She is like a bride dressed for her wedding. God has clothed her with salvation and victory.

I will still be joyful and glad, because the LORD God is my savior.

In conclusion, my friends, be joyful in your union with the Lord. I don't mind repeating what I have written before, and you will be safer if I do so.

It is we, not they, who have received the true circumcision, for we worship God by means of his Spirit and rejoice in our life in union with Christ Jesus. We do not put any trust in external ceremonies.

May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again: rejoice!