How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #4
But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. (NRSV 14:13-14)
But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. (KJV 14:13-14)
That'll be quite a dinner party. Relatives and rich neighbors are supposed to be snubbed in favor of all of the local social outcasts. Sound controversial? Check out our discussion of "Current Hot-Button Issues and Cultural Debates" for more.
Quote #5
Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.' (NRSV 14:21)
Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. (KJV 14:21)
Everyone is too busy to attend the master's lavish dinner party, so the poor get an invite. How convenient for Jesus's parable.
Quote #6
And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. (NRSV 16:20-22)
And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. (KJV 16:20-22)
Beatitudes too abstract for you? How about some concrete discussion of what it's like to be poor? Answer: not good. Until you die, that is.