Matthew 5:7

New Testament

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 satisfied. 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 the children of God.

James 2:13

New Testament

11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a violator of the law. 12 Speak and act as those who will be judged by a law that gives freedom. 13 For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgment. 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacks daily food,

 Notes and References

"... 'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.' How should one understand 'the merciful'? Consider the following examples. The Masoretic text of Psalm 18:25-26 reads: "with the merciful you show yourself merciful." In b. Baba Qamma 9:30 there is a nearly identical statement ("So long as you are merciful, He will have mercy on you"). Similar sayings are also found in Sifre Deuteronomy 13.18 and b. Shabbat 151b. Early Christian comments that are similar are found in 1 Clement 13:2 ("Be merciful in order that you might receive mercy") and James 2:13 ("judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy"). Similar sentiments are echoed in Matthew 18:33; 9:13; 12:7; 15:22; 17:15; and 20:30-31 ..."

Talbert, Charles H. Reading the Sermon on the Mount: Character Formation and Decision Making in Matthew 5-7 (p. 52) University of South Carolina Press, 2004

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