I was doing my nightly Bible study and reading up on the beatitudes. I carefully went through each one. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, Blessed are those who mourn, Blessed are the meek…

I got to the last Beatitude "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness" and became confused. I frantically turned the pages because I new that there had to be more. Where were the other scriptures we have always been taught? What happened to:

Blessed are generous givers,
for they shall inherit great wealth

Blessed are the faithful tithers,
for theirs is the riches of earth

Blessed are the businessmen
for they will be first in the kingdom

Quickly I went to my handy Bible reference guide to show me what had happened to these "Cornerstone" scriptures. My first thought was that it had something to do with those pesky gays, but then I realized that’s silly; gays don’t read the Bible. Then I thought maybe my son had ripped that page out of the Bible, but no he doesn’t read the Bible either. Then I thought those scriptures must only be able to be seen by the highest level of Christian businessmen, but again I don’t think they read the Bible either.

Suddenly, like the curse of Malachi, it hit me. I fell to the floor screaming "Dear God, Noooooooooo." It had just been made clear that those verses aren’t in the Bible. "Smite me now Lord" I yelled, "I have spent my entire life trying to buy happiness and now there is no reason left to live. If I can’t purchase heaven, then I am definitely going to hell"

A voice called out to me "John, or do you go by John-Paul? Is it all right if I call you JP, John-Paul is awful hard to say?"

"Um, God," I responded ‘If you came here to annihilate me will you get on with it."

"My son," the boice boomed "as much as you deserve to be wiped clear off this earth, I will spare your life, but only if go around and educate people on the truth in scripture."

So, here it goes:

Matthew 5:3-10 (NIV)
"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 be shown mercy.
[8] Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
[9] Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
[10] Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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